tasyavacanād rājā parituṣṭaḥ sa gṛham āgāt
“The king, being pleased with his words, went home.”
Structure
tasyavacanād rājā parituṣṭaḥ sa gṛham āgāt
rājā tasyavacanād parituṣṭaḥ sa gṛham āgāt
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tasyavacanād | tasyavacanād | compound | tatpuruṣa · "tasya vacanād" | from his words |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | the king |
| parituṣṭaḥ | parituṣṭaḥ | verb | √tuṣ · past participle · third | being pleased |
| sa | sa | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | he |
| gṛham | gṛham | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | home |
| āgāt | āgāt | verb | √gā · preterit · third | came |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, 'tasyavacanād rājā parituṣṭaḥ sa gṛham āgāt', underscores the non-dual nature of reality by highlighting the satisfaction of the king, which is a reflection of the Self (ātman) being pleased. According to Shankara, such satisfaction is not of the fleeting, individual self but of the universal, absolute Self (Brahman). In his commentary on the Brahmasūtra, Shankara distinguishes between the absolute bliss of Brahman and the conditional pleasure of the individual. The king's return home signifies the return to one's true nature, away from the distractions of the world, towards the realization of the identity of Brahman and ātman. This interpretation aligns with Shankara's emphasis on the direct experience (anubhava) of the ultimate reality, where individual distinctions dissolve into the unity of Brahman.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The satisfaction of the king in this verse can be seen as a metaphor for the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya would interpret the king's pleasure as a result of recognizing his dependence on a higher power, symbolizing the jīva's realization of its dependence on Īśvara. This dependence is a fundamental aspect of Viśiṣṭādvaita Vedānta, where the individual self and the Supreme are distinct yet inseparable. The king's return home signifies the jīva's journey towards its ultimate goal of union with Īśvara, not in a non-dual sense but in a devotional, loving relationship. Madhvācārya, following Dvaita Vedānta, might see this verse as an example of the king (jīva) experiencing joy due to the grace of a higher being, emphasizing the real, fundamental difference between the individual and the Divine.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a profound lesson in the universal and practical application of Vedāntic principles. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures, often spoke about the importance of finding satisfaction and peace within, rather than seeking it in external sources. The king's pleasure and subsequent return home can be seen as a symbol of this inner journey. Vivekānanda would likely interpret this as a call to introspection and self-realization, where one finds true satisfaction by connecting with one's inner self. S. Radhakrishnan, in his philosophical writings, emphasized the human quest for values such as freedom, love, and self-realization. This verse, in the context of modern life, reminds us of the importance of balance between our inner lives and our actions in the world, highlighting the quest for a deeper, more meaningful existence beyond mere external accomplishments.