tatastu dṛṣṭvā ca jananyā mātaraṁ ca svadeśaṁ ca.
“Then having seen his mother and his native land.”
Structure
tatastu dṛṣṭvā ca jananyā mātaraṁ ca svadeśaṁ ca
tatastu (then) ca (and) dṛṣṭvā (having seen) jananyā (mother) mātaraṁ (mother) ca (and) svadeśaṁ (own country) ca (and)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tatastu | tatastu | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| dṛṣṭvā | dṛṣṭvā | indeclinable | — | having seen |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| jananyā | jananyā | noun | ablative · singular · feminine | from one's mother |
| mātaraṁ | mātaraṁ | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | mother |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| svadeśaṁ | svadeśaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | one's own country |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In this verse, tatastu dṛṣṭvā ca jananyā mātaraṁ ca svadeśaṁ ca, Shankara's non-dual perspective illuminates the notion that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is the essence of all existence. When Rama sees his mother and his native land, it symbolizes the recognition of one's true nature, beyond the ephemeral attachments to worldly relations and places. This is akin to the concept of 'ātma-vichāra' or self-inquiry, where the individual seeks to understand the true nature of the Self, unencumbered by external identities. Shankara's commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad, 'Satyam vada, Dharmam chara', underscores the importance of realizing the ultimate truth, which is the unity of Brahman and Ātman. This verse, in the context of the Rāmāyaṇa, serves as a reminder to seek this unity, to look beyond the fleeting nature of worldly connections and find the eternal truth within.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse highlights the profound emotional and devotional depth of Rama's character, a pivotal figure in Vaiṣṇava tradition. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of prapatti, or self-surrender to the divine. When Rama sees his mother and his native land, it is not merely a familial or patriotic sentiment, but an expression of his innate longing for the divine, represented in this context by his mother and the place of his upbringing. This longing is a metaphor for the jīva's (individual soul) innate yearning for Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). Madhvācārya, in his Dvaita Vedānta, would interpret this as an illustration of the real distinction between the individual soul and God, yet their interconnectedness through love and devotion. The verse thus encapsulates the Vaiṣṇava ethos of bhakti, or loving devotion, as the means to experience the divine.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the universal principles found within ancient Indian scriptures. This verse, tatastu dṛṣṭvā ca jananyā mātaraṁ ca svadeśaṁ ca, speaks to the human experience of belonging and connection. Vivekānanda would likely view Rama's actions as an expression of the deep-seated human need for roots and identity, which are symbolized by the mother and the native land. This, according to Vivekānanda, is a universal impulse that transcends cultural boundaries, reflecting the inherent unity of all human experience. S. Radhakrishnan, in his philosophical works, such as 'The Hindu View of Life', highlights the importance of integrating the individual's spiritual aspiration with practical life. This verse serves as a reminder of the balance needed between one's roots in tradition and family, and the broader universal responsibilities and aspirations. It underscores the practical wisdom of acknowledging one's heritage while striving for a larger, universal identity.