atha rājā tadā dṛṣṭvā putraṃ nandinam adbhutam.
“Then, having seen his wonderful son Nandin.”
Structure
atha rājā tadā dṛṣṭvā putraṃ nandinam adbhutam
rājā (king) tadā (then) atha (having seen) dṛṣṭvā (having seen) putraṃ (son) nandinam (rejoicing) adbhutam (wonderful)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| atha | atha | indeclinable | — | then, now |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| tadā | tadā | indeclinable | — | then |
| dṛṣṭvā | dṛṣṭvā | indeclinable | — | having seen |
| putraṃ | putraṃ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | son |
| nandinam | nandinam | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | rejoicing, happy one or Nandin (proper noun) |
| adbhutam | adbhutam | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | wonderful, amazing |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, 'atha rājā tadā dṛṣṭvā putraṃ nandinam adbhutam,' reveals the wonder of the king upon beholding his extraordinary son, Nandin. For Shankara, the wonder (adbhutam) here symbolizes the astonishment of the Self (ātman) when it beholds its true, unconditioned nature, reflected in the verse's emphasis on the extraordinary or wonderful (adbhutam). This experience is an intuition of the brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self recognizes its non-dual essence with the universal Self. Shankara's commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad, particularly the section on 'satyam jñānam anantam brahma,' underscores the pursuit of this Self-realization, wherein lies the unity and identity of all existence. In this context, the king's wonder reflects the jiva's journey towards Self-discovery, where the distinctions between the individual and the universal are transcended, illustrating the non-dual (advaita) nature of reality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse with a focus on the devotional relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). The king's wonder at his son Nandin represents the devotee's awe and devotion towards the divine. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentaries, often emphasizes the importance of bhakti (devotion) and prapatti (surrender) as means to realize one's true nature and relationship with the Lord. In the context of this verse, the king's paternal love and wonder symbolize the Lord's affection towards the devotee, highlighting the personal and intimate relationship between the divine and human. This interpretation underscores the Vaiṣṇava doctrine of viśiṣṭādvaita, which affirms a qualified non-dualism where the individual souls and the material world are real but always dependent on and inseparable from the Supreme Being.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda's universal and practical application of Vedāntic principles can be seen in interpreting this verse. The wonder and joy of the king at beholding his extraordinary son can be seen as a metaphor for the human potential for self-realization and the pursuit of excellence. Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often stressed the importance of realizing one's true potential and serving humanity. This verse, therefore, inspires individuals to strive for the extraordinary within themselves, fostering a sense of purpose and responsibility towards personal and social transformation. Radhakrishnan, emphasizing the contemporary relevance of Indian philosophy, would interpret the king's wonder as an allegory for the awe-inspiring potential of human consciousness, urging individuals to explore and realize their inner depths, thereby contributing to a more holistic and inclusive understanding of human existence and its place in the world.