tato daśaratho rājā putra-śoka-samanvitaḥ
“Then King Daśaratha, overwhelmed with grief for his son”
Structure
tato daśaratho rājā putra śoka samanvitaḥ
tato (then) daśaratho (King Daśaratha) rājā (the king) putra (son) śoka (grief) samanvitaḥ (overwhelmed with)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tato | tato | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| daśaratho | daśaratho | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Daśaratha (the king) |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| putra | putra | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | son |
| śoka | śoka | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | grief, sorrow |
| samanvitaḥ | samanvitaḥ | verb | √anvī · past participle · third | overwhelmed with, possessed of (grief) |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In this verse, King Daśaratha's grief for his son illustrates the inherent suffering (duḥkha) that arises from attachment to the ephemeral world. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sūtras, explains that such suffering can only be transcended by realizing the non-dual nature of Brahman (Brahma Sūtra Bhāṣya 1.1.1). Daśaratha's plight serves as a reminder that true freedom from sorrow comes from understanding the identity of the individual self (ātman) with the ultimate reality (Brahman). This verse thus points to the impermanence of worldly bonds and the necessity of seeking the eternal and unchanging Brahman. As Śaṅkara notes in his Upadeśasāhasrī, the realization of this identity is the means to overcome all suffering (Upadeśasāhasrī 1.14). The grief of Daśaratha, therefore, becomes a teaching moment for the pursuit of liberation through non-dual knowledge.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse is pivotal in the Vaiṣṇava tradition as it highlights the human condition of suffering and the path to relief through devotion. Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya, emphasizes the importance of bhakti (devotion) as a means to transcend worldly suffering. Daśaratha's overwhelming grief for his son Rāma illustrates the depth of human emotional experience and the potential for such emotions to be redirected towards a higher purpose - devotion to the Lord. Madhvācārya, in his commentaries, would likely view Daśaratha's situation as an example of the jīva's (individual soul's) inherent dependence on Īśvara (God) and the necessity of recognizing this relationship for true liberation. This verse, therefore, underscores the Vaiṣṇava emphasis on the personal relationship between the jīva and Īśvara, with devotion being the bridge that connects the sufferer with the divine, offering solace and ultimate liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a profound reflection on the human experience of suffering and loss, resonating deeply with Swami Vivekānanda's emphasis on the practical application of Vedāntic principles in everyday life. In his lectures, Vivekānanda often highlighted the importance of recognizing and transcending the limitations of the ego and worldly attachments, which are the root causes of suffering. Daśaratha's grief, in this context, symbolizes the universal human struggle with attachment and loss. Rādhākrishnan, in his philosophical writings, would likely interpret this verse as illustrating the contrast between the fleeting nature of worldly relationships and the eternal, unchanging essence of the self. Both thinkers would encourage the reader to look beyond the immediate, personal level of suffering and to seek a deeper understanding and connection with the universal, thereby finding peace and liberation. This approach makes the ancient verse relevant to contemporary life, inviting readers to reflect on their own experiences of loss and attachment.