atha rājā tad-ājñāpya vṛtaḥ paryatiṣṭhat.
“Then, being informed, the King surrounded by his attendants stood still.”
Structure
atha rājā tad ājñāpya vṛtaḥ paryatiṣṭhat
rājā (king) atha (then) tad (that) ājñāpya (having been informed) vṛtaḥ (being surrounded) paryatiṣṭhat (stood)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| atha | atha | indeclinable | — | then, now |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| tad | tad | pronoun | accusative · singular · neuter | that |
| ājñāpya | ājñāpya | verb | √ājñā · past participle · third | having been ordered |
| vṛtaḥ | vṛtaḥ | verb | √vṛ · past participle · third | having been chosen |
| paryatiṣṭhat | paryatiṣṭhat | verb | √atiṣṭh · aorist · third | stood around |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Rāmāyaṇa illustrates the non-dual principles of Advaita Vedānta, as it implies the King's stillness after being informed symbolizes the serene state of the Self (ātman) once it understands its true nature. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sūtras, emphasizes the realization of brahman-ātman identity as the ultimate goal. The King's surrounding by attendants and subsequent stillness can be seen as the jīva (individual self) surrounded by the manifestations of prakṛti (nature), yet standing still in the realization of its true identity with the ultimate reality, brahman. This interpretation aligns with Śaṅkarācārya's reasoning in his commentary on the Taittirīya Upaniṣad, where he discusses the need for the individual to look beyond the external and internal world to realize the true Self. The verse thus serves as a metaphor for the Advaitin pursuit of understanding the non-dual nature of reality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition views this verse as an illustration of the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya would interpret the King's obedience to the command as a symbol of the jīva's surrender to the will of Īśvara, highlighting the importance of prapatti (surrender) in achieving spiritual liberation. The King's stillness after being informed signifies the jīva's serene state after submitting to the divine will. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, might emphasize the distinction between the King (representing the jīva) and the command (representing the Lord's will), illustrating the real difference between the individual self and God, a central tenet of his Dvaita Vedānta. Both perspectives, however, underscore the verse's devotional implications, pointing to the significance of the jīva-Īśvara relationship in Vaiṣṇava theology.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers profound insights into the nature of self-awareness and the path to inner peace, highly relevant in contemporary life. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Practical Vedānta, often emphasized the importance of quieting the mind and understanding one's true nature to achieve self-realization. The King's stillness after being informed can be seen as a practical example of this principle, where the tumult of external commands and internal doubts is quieted, leading to a state of inner peace and stability. Similarly, S. Radhakrishnan, in his writings, highlighted the universal applicability of Vedāntic principles, including the concept of the serene and unchanging Self amidst the changing world. This verse, therefore, inspires the modern individual to seek inner stillness and understanding in the midst of life's turmoil, applying the timeless wisdom of the Rāmāyaṇa to contemporary challenges and aspirations.