tatastu dṛṣṭvā tāṃ māyāṃ mahātmāt rughuttamaḥ . niśicarānāṃ ca saṃkṣayam ||
“Then, having seen that illusion and the destruction of the night-runners, the great-souled Raghu best looked on.”
Structure
tatastu dṛṣṭvā tāṃ māyāṃ mahātmāt rughuttamaḥ niśicarānāṃ ca saṃkṣayam
Raghuttamaḥ mahātmāt (the great-souled Raghu's best) tatastu (then) tāṃ māyāṃ (that illusion/magic) dṛṣṭvā (having seen) niśicarānāṃ (of the night-wanderers) ca (and) saṃkṣayam (the destruction)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tatastu | tatastu | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| dṛṣṭvā | dṛṣṭvā | indeclinable | — | having seen, seeing |
| tāṃ | tāṃ | pronoun | accusative · singular · feminine | that (feminine accusative singular) |
| māyāṃ | māyāṃ | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | magic, illusion |
| mahātmāt | mahātmāt | noun | ablative · singular · masculine | from the great-souled one |
| rughuttamaḥ | rughuttamaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | the best of the Raghu dynasty, Rama |
| niśicarānāṃ | niśicarānāṃ | noun | genitive · plural · masculine | of the night-runners, of the robbers |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| saṃkṣayam | saṃkṣayam | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | destruction, annihilation |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In this verse, the great-souled Raghu's observation of the illusion and the destruction of the night-runners signifies the discernment of the ultimate reality. Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras (BS 1.1.1) emphasizes the importance of realizing the brahman-ātman identity, which is hinted at in this verse. The phrase 'mahātmāt' suggests the great soul, which, according to Shankara, is a reference to the ātman, the individual self. The observation of the illusion and its subsequent destruction symbolizes the removal of avidyā, or ignorance, which is a prerequisite for realizing the ultimate non-dual reality. The verse thus points to the brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self, upon realizing its true nature, transcends the limitations of the empirical world. This understanding is in line with Shankara's non-dual reading of the Upaniṣads and the Bhagavad Gītā, where the ultimate goal is to realize the identity of the individual self with the ultimate reality, brahman.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse as a demonstration of the lord's grace and the devotee's devotion. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā (GB 18.66), emphasizes the importance of prapatti, or self-surrender, which is exemplified by Raghu's observation of the illusion and its destruction. The phrase 'niśicarānāṃ ca saṃkṣayam' signifies the destruction of the night-runners, which represents the removal of obstacles on the path to liberation. The verse highlights the relationship between the jīva, the individual self, and Īśvara, the lord, where the lord's grace facilitates the jīva's liberation. Madhvācārya, in his commentary on the Mahābhārata (MB 3.313.83), further emphasizes the importance of bhakti, or devotion, in achieving liberation, which is in line with the devotional tone of this verse. The Vaiṣṇava tradition thus sees this verse as an illustration of the lord's benevolence and the devotee's devotion, which ultimately leads to liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a profound insight into the human condition and the nature of reality. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lecture on 'The Powers of the Mind' (CW 2:11), emphasizes the importance of self-control and the power of the mind in overcoming obstacles. The phrase 'tatastu dṛṣṭvā tāṃ māyāṃ' signifies the observation of the illusion, which represents the limitations of the human mind. The destruction of the night-runners symbolizes the transcendence of these limitations, which is a universal and practical application of this verse. S. Rādhākrishnan, in his book 'The Hindu View of Life' (HVOL 122), further highlights the importance of self-realization and the pursuit of knowledge in achieving liberation. This verse thus serves as a reminder of the human potential for self-transcendence and the importance of cultivating a deeper understanding of reality. In contemporary life, this verse can be seen as a call to action, encouraging individuals to observe their own limitations and to strive for self-realization and liberation.