tatastena gariṁ dṛṣṭvā mathurāṁ janakasetataḥ । atha nīlavasaḥ śrīmān hariḥ rukmiṇī saha ॥
“Then, having seen that city, Mathura, from a distance, the blue-clad, illustrious Lord, accompanied by Rukmiṇī, beheld it.”
Structure
tatastena nagarīṃ dṛṣṭvā mathurāṃ janakasetataḥ atha nīlavasaḥ śrīmān hariḥ rukmiṇī saha
tatastaḥ (then) ena (by him) nagarīṃ (city) dṛṣṭvā (having seen) mathurāṃ (Mathura) janakasetataḥ (from the place where Janaka's sister was) atha (then) nīlavasaḥ (wearing blue clothes) śrīmān (the glorious one) hariḥ ( Hari) rukmiṇī (Rukmini) saha (with)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tatastena | tatastena | indeclinable | — | from that place, thence |
| nagarīṃ | nagarīṃ | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | city |
| dṛṣṭvā | dṛṣṭvā | indeclinable | — | having seen |
| mathurāṃ | mathurāṃ | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | Mathurā |
| janakasetataḥ | janakasetataḥ | indeclinable | — | to Janaka's fields, towards Janaka's fields |
| atha | atha | indeclinable | — | then, now |
| nīlavasaḥ | nīlavasaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | blue-clad |
| śrīmān | śrīmān | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | beautiful, glorious |
| hariḥ | hariḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | the destroyer, Hari |
| rukmiṇī | rukmiṇī | noun | 伴 · singular · feminine | with Rukmiṇī |
| saha | saha | indeclinable | — | with, together |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, Śaṅkarācārya often emphasizes the non-dual nature of reality. Although this verse from the Rāmāyaṇa describes Lord Hari (Krishna) and Rukmiṇī viewing the city of Mathura, an Advaitin reading would interpret this as an allegory for the ultimate reality, Brahman, and its relation to the individual self, ātman. The 'blue-clad' Hari signifies the infinite and all-encompassing nature of Brahman, while Rukmiṇī represents the individual soul, jīva, in its journey towards union with the divine. Śaṅkarācārya's reasoning, as applied to similar passages, suggests that the ultimate goal is the realization of the identity of ātman and Brahman, transcending the duality of subject and object. Thus, this verse can be seen as a pointer towards the non-dual reality that underlies all existence, inviting the seeker to contemplate on the ultimate unity of all beings.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): For Vaiṣṇavas, this verse from the Rāmāyaṇa holds great significance as it depicts the divine couple, Krishna and Rukmiṇī, surveying the city of Mathura. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, would likely interpret this scene as an expression of the loving relationship between the Lord (Īśvara) and the individual soul (jīva). The 'blue-clad' Krishna, symbolizing the infinite and blissful nature of God, is accompanied by Rukmiṇī, representing the ideal devotee who has dedicated herself to the service and love of the Lord. This verse thus exemplifies the Vaiṣṇava emphasis on bhakti (devotion) as the path to realizing one's true nature and achieving union with God. Madhvācārya, focusing on the difference between the Lord and the soul, might view this scene as an illustration of the dependence of the jīva on Īśvara for liberation, highlighting the gracious nature of God in guiding the devotee towards salvation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often underscored the universal principles found in Hindu scriptures, applicable to contemporary life. Regarding this verse, he might interpret the 'city of Mathura' as a symbol for the goal of human existence—a state of perfection and harmony. The 'blue-clad' Krishna, accompanied by Rukmiṇī, represents the ideal of human perfection, where the individual, having realized their true potential, lives in harmony with the universe. This state is achievable through the cultivation of virtues and the realization of one's inner divinity. Similarly, S. Radhakrishnan, in his philosophical works, emphasized the importance of spiritual experience and the unity of all existence. He might see this verse as an allegory for the human quest for meaning and fulfillment, where the journey of the individual towards self-realization is guided by the ideals of truth, beauty, and goodness, embodied by the divine couple, leading ultimately to a life of service, compassion, and wisdom.