Atha rājā tu jānīyāt vṛttaṃ tasya kṛtaṃ ca yat . Tataḥ preṣyaḥ pravartayet ॥ ३६ ॥
“Then the king should learn about his (Rama's) situation and what had been done; thereafter the envoy should report.”
Structure
Atha rājā tu jānīyāt vṛttaṃ tasya kṛtaṃ ca yat Tataḥ preṣyaḥ pravartayet
Atha (then) rājā (the king) tu (indeed) jānīyāt (should know) vṛttaṃ (the event) tasya (of that) yat (which) kṛtaṃ ca (and was done) Tataḥ (thereafter) preṣyaḥ (the envoy) pravartayet (should inform)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atha | Atha | indeclinable | — | then, now |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| tu | tu | indeclinable | — | indeed, surely |
| jānīyāt | jānīyāt | verb | √jñā · liṅ-optative · third | he should know |
| vṛttaṃ | vṛttaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | what has happened, occurrence |
| tasya | tasya | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | of him, his |
| kṛtaṃ | kṛtaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | what has been done |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| yat | yat | pronoun | accusative · singular · neuter | what |
| Tataḥ | Tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| preṣyaḥ | preṣyaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | messenger, envoy |
| pravartayet | pravartayet | verb | √vart · liṅ-optative · third | he should dispatch |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, Shankara discusses the concept of jñāna (knowledge) and its role in realizing the ultimate reality, Brahman. This verse from the Rāmāyaṇa highlights the king's need to acquire knowledge about Rama's situation, symbolizing the individual self's (jīva) quest to understand the ultimate reality. Shankara would likely interpret this verse as an allegory for the jīva's journey towards self-realization, where the 'king' represents the higher self (paramātman) and 'Rama' represents the individual self (jīva). The envoy's report signifies the role of intuition and discrimination in facilitating this understanding. By recognizing the non-dual nature of reality, the individual self can transcend its limitations and realize its identity with Brahman, much like the king's knowledge of Rama's situation allows him to respond appropriately. This interpretation underscores the Advaita Vedānta emphasis on the importance of knowledge in achieving liberation.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, discusses the concept of prapatti (self-surrender) as a means to attain liberation. This verse can be seen as an illustration of the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord). The king's desire to learn about Rama's situation represents the jīva's longing to know and connect with Īśvara. The envoy's role symbolizes the grace of Īśvara, which facilitates this connection. Rāmānujācārya would likely emphasize the importance of self-surrender and devotion in establishing a relationship with the divine. In this context, the king's knowledge of Rama's situation is not merely intellectual but also devotional, demonstrating his commitment to Rama's will. Similarly, the jīva's knowledge of Īśvara is not merely theoretical but also practical, requiring surrender and devotion to establish a meaningful connection.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of self-knowledge and action in the attainment of spiritual growth. This verse can be seen as a call to action, where the king's knowledge of Rama's situation is not merely passive but also active, as it prompts him to send an envoy. Vivekānanda would likely interpret this verse as a reminder of the need for individuals to take responsibility for their actions and to be mindful of their circumstances. The envoy's report represents the feedback loop that allows individuals to assess their actions and adjust their course accordingly. In contemporary life, this verse can be applied to the importance of self-reflection, accountability, and responsible decision-making. By recognizing the interconnectedness of our actions and their consequences, we can cultivate a sense of awareness and responsibility, much like the king's knowledge of Rama's situation informs his decision to send an envoy. This approach underscores the practical and universal application of Vedāntic principles in everyday life.