tatastvayā havirdhānyā yajñaśreṣṭho mahānṛṣiḥ
“Then, by you, the great sage, the best of sacrificers, was born.”
Structure
tatas tvayā havirdhānyā yajñaśreṣṭho mahānṛṣiḥ
tatas (then) tvayā (by you) havirdhānyā (with havis and grains) yajñaśreṣṭho (the best of yajñas) mahānṛṣiḥ (the great sage)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tatas | tatas | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| tvayā | tvayā | pronoun | instrumental · singular | by you |
| havirdhānyā | havirdhānyā | compound | bahuvrīhi · "havirdhāna + ā" | one whose wealth is havirdhāna (a proper noun or a type of wealth) |
| yajñaśreṣṭho | yajñaśreṣṭho | compound | tatpuruṣa · "yajña + śreṣṭha" | the best of yajñas |
| mahānṛṣiḥ | mahānṛṣiḥ | compound | tatpuruṣa · "mahan + ṛṣiḥ" | a great ṛṣi |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, in the context of the Rāmāyaṇa, hints at the non-dual reality when it mentions 'the great sage, the best of sacrificers, was born' by you. Shankara, in his Brahmasūtra Bhāṣya, emphasizes the idea that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is the source of all creation, including the great sages. This verse can be seen as pointing to the identity of Brahman and Ātman, where the sage, as a symbol of pure consciousness, is born from the ultimate reality. Shankara's reasoning, as seen in his commentary on the Taittirīya Upaniṣad, suggests that the individual self (jīva) is not separate from the ultimate reality but is, in fact, a manifestation of it. Thus, the birth of the great sage symbolizes the emergence of higher consciousness, which is nothing but the realization of the Brahman-Ātman identity.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as highlighting the relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya, interprets the concept of 'birth' in a spiritual sense, emphasizing the idea that the jīva, with the grace of Īśvara, can attain a higher state of existence. This verse, in particular, suggests that the great sage, as a devotee, achieves a state of spiritual excellence through his devotion and sacrifice (yajña). Madhvācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, also emphasizes the role of devotion and the grace of the Lord in achieving spiritual liberation. Thus, the 'birth' of the sage represents the culmination of devotional practices, leading to a profound realization of the Lord's presence within and outside the self.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the practical application of spiritual principles in everyday life. This verse, in the context of modern life, can be seen as a call to cultivate the qualities of the 'great sage' within oneself. The idea of 'birth' can be interpreted as a new awakening or a spiritual rebirth, where an individual transcends their mundane limitations and realizes their higher potential. Rādhākrishnan, in his book 'The Principal Upaniṣads', highlights the universal and inclusive nature of Vedāntic philosophy, which can be applied to contemporary issues and challenges. Thus, this verse encourages individuals to strive for spiritual growth, to become the 'best of sacrificers' by dedicating their actions and thoughts to a higher purpose, and to realize the universal consciousness that underlies all existence.