tataḥ śoka-pariduṣṭayā dṛṣṭyā vṛkṣān dṛṣṭvā raghupatir nivedayāmāsa vaidahiti
“Then, with a sorrow-embittered gaze, having seen the trees, the Lord of the Raghu dynasty informed the Vaidehi.”
Structure
tataḥ śoka-pariduṣṭayā dṛṣṭyā vṛkṣān dṛṣṭvā raghupatir nivedayāmāsa vaidahiti
Raghupatir(the lord of the Raghu dynasty)vṛkṣān(the trees)dṛṣṭvā(having seen)śoka-pariduṣṭayā(with eyes troubled by grief)dṛṣṭyā(with a gaze)vaidahiti(to the messenger of Janaka's kingdom, Vibhishana or to Vibhishana's kin )tataḥ(then)nivedayāmāsa(made known, or reported)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tataḥ | tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śoka-pariduṣṭayā | śoka-pariduṣṭayā | compound | bahuvrīhi · "śokaḥ pariduṣṭā yasya dṛṣṭiḥ" | whose sight was troubled by grief |
| dṛṣṭyā | dṛṣṭyā | noun | instrumental · singular · feminine | with her sight |
| vṛkṣān | vṛkṣān | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | the trees |
| dṛṣṭvā | dṛṣṭvā | indeclinable | — | having seen |
| raghupatir | raghupatir | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | the lord of the Raghu dynasty |
| nivedayāmāsa | nivedayāmāsa | verb | √nived · past · third | made known, announced |
| vaidahiti | vaidahiti | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | to Vidahiti ( likely a name ) |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In this verse, the sorrow-embittered gaze of Raghupati signifies the turmoil that arises from the misapprehension of reality. Śaṅkarācārya would likely interpret this as an opportunity to reflect on the impermanence of worldly attachments. The gaze upon the trees, devoid of true understanding, represents the conditioned mind, unable to perceive the ultimate reality, Brahman. The Lord's informing Vaidehi symbolizes the inner guide or the ātman revealing the truth to the individual self. Through this lens, the verse points to the fundamental identity of Brahman and ātman, highlighting the need for self-inquiry to transcend sorrow and realize the non-dual nature of existence. Śaṅkarācārya's commentary on the Brahma Sutras and his concept of 'adhyāsa' (superimposition) are relevant here, as they discuss how our perceptions are veiled by ignorance, leading to a misconstrued understanding of reality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse underscores the poignant moment of Rama's interaction with Sita, exemplifying the intimate relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). Rāmānujācārya would focus on the bhakti aspect, where Rama's sorrow and his communication with Sita illustrate the Lord's accessibility and concern for His devotees. The gaze upon the trees and the act of informing Sita signify the Lord's engagement with His creation, highlighting the pathos and compassion inherent in the divine-human relationship. This moment, for Rāmānujācārya, would be a demonstration of the Lord's 'saulabhya' (easiness of access), underscoring the devotional path as a means to transcend worldly sorrows and achieve union with the divine. The emotional depth of this verse would be seen as fostering a sense of dependence on and love for the Lord, core principles in Vaiṣṇava theology.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda might interpret this verse as an allegory for the human condition, where sorrow and detachment are inevitable parts of life's journey. The trees, seen through a sorrow-embittered gaze, represent the world as perceived by the limited and conditioned self. Vivekānanda's emphasis would be on the potential for transformation inherent in such moments of insight, where the individual, like Raghupati, confronts the reality of their circumstances. This confrontation can lead to a deeper understanding and a broader, more compassionate perspective, reflecting Vivekānanda's concept of 'vairagya' (detachment) not as avoidance, but as a means to engage with the world from a place of freedom and wisdom. Rādhākrishnan, focusing on the philosophy of religion, might see this verse as emblematic of the universal human quest for meaning and connection amidst suffering, highlighting the importance of spiritual seeking and self-reflection in navigating life's challenges.