na tu tenāham utsṛṣṭaḥ pūrvamevaitad udāhṛtam
“But I was not abandoned by him; on the contrary, this was already said before.”
Structure
na tu tena aham utsṛṣṭaḥ pūrva eva etat udāhṛtam
na (not) tu (but) tena (by Him) aham (I) utsṛṣṭaḥ (dismissed) pūrva (previously) eva (indeed) etat (this) udāhṛtam (has been spoken)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tu | tu | indeclinable | — | indeed, however |
| tena | tena | pronoun | instrumental · singular · masculine | by him |
| aham | aham | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | I |
| utsṛṣṭaḥ | utsṛṣṭaḥ | verb | √sṛj · past participle · third | released |
| pūrva | pūrva | adjective | — | previous, earlier |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | only, indeed |
| etat | etat | pronoun | nominative · singular · neuter | this |
| udāhṛtam | udāhṛtam | verb | √hṛ · past participle · third | cited, mentioned |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Rāmāyaṇa underscores the non-dual nature of reality, hinting at the ultimate identity of Brahman and Ātman. Shankara's commentary on the Brahmasūtra, particularly on the topic of ātmaikatva or the oneness of the Self, resonates with the implication of this verse. The statement 'na tu tenāham utsṛṣṭaḥ' suggests that the individual self is not separate or abandoned by the ultimate reality. This is in line with Shankara's argument that the jīva, or individual self, is not ultimately distinct from Brahman but is a manifestation of it. This verse, therefore, supports the Advaitic view of non-duality, encouraging the seeker to look beyond the apparent separation and recognize the inherent unity of all existence.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, particularly through the lens of Rāmānujācārya's Viśiṣṭādvaita philosophy, this verse can be seen as emphasizing the loving relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord). The notion that 'I was not abandoned by him' highlights the concept of prapatti or surrender, where the individual, recognizing their dependence on the divine, seeks refuge in Īśvara. This relationship is characterized by a deep sense of devotion and trust. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra, discusses the importance of bhakti (devotion) as a means to realize the self and its relationship with the divine. This verse, thus, underscores the Vaiṣṇava emphasis on personal devotion and the eternal, loving relationship between the jīva and Īśvara.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda): Swami Vivekānanda, a key figure in the Neo-Vedānta movement, would likely interpret this verse as a call to recognize the inner strength and divinity of the individual. The statement 'on the contrary, this was already said before' can be seen as a prompt to look within and recall the eternal truths that reside within each person. Vivekānanda, in his teachings and writings, such as 'The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda', frequently emphasized the importance of self-realization and the universal principles that guide human existence. This verse, in the context of contemporary life, can be seen as a reminder of the resilience and inherent guidance that lies within each individual, encouraging them to tap into this inner wisdom to navigate life's challenges and realize their full potential.