tayosta-asminnahaṁ rājñaḥ sumahatā yataḥ
“Of the two, I am on the side of that great king from whom”
Structure
tayoh tu asminn aham rājñas sumahatā yataḥ
yataḥ tu aham asmin rājñas sumahatā tayoh
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tayoh | tayoh | pronoun | genitive · dual | of those two |
| tu | tu | indeclinable | — | indeed, however |
| asmin | asmin | pronoun | locative · singular | in this |
| aham | aham | pronoun | nominative · singular | I |
| rājñas | rājñas | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of the king |
| sumahatā | sumahatā | adjective | — | from the great |
| yataḥ | yataḥ | indeclinable | — | from whom, from which |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, 'tayosta-asminnahaṁ rājñaḥ sumahatā yataḥ', suggests the non-dual relationship between the individual self (ātman) and the ultimate reality (Brahman). According to Shankara, the reference to being on the side of the great king signifies the alignment of the individual with the universal consciousness. This alignment is crucial for realizing the identity of Brahman and ātman. In his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, Shankara discusses similar concepts, emphasizing that the ultimate goal is to understand the non-dual nature of reality. This verse points towards the idea that the individual's true nature is not separate from the universal, and this understanding is key to liberation. The 'great king' can be seen as a metaphor for the ultimate reality, and the individual's devotion and allegiance to this reality are essential for spiritual growth.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the context of the Rāmāyaṇa, this verse underscores the devotion of the speaker towards Rāma, the king. For Rāmānujācārya, such devotion is a key aspect of the bhakti tradition, where the love and loyalty of the devotee towards the Lord are paramount. The speaker's allegiance to the great king symbolizes the jīva's (individual soul's) natural inclination towards Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya's concept of 'prapatti' or surrender to the Lord is relevant here, where the individual surrenders their ego and desires to the mercy of God, much like the speaker's commitment to the king. This verse highlights the personal and reciprocal relationship between the devotee and the Divine, a central theme in Vaiṣṇava theology.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda often spoke about the universal principles embedded in ancient Indian texts. This verse can be seen as a call to align oneself with the higher principles of life, symbolized by the 'great king'. Vivekānanda emphasized the importance of realizing one's true nature and standing by principles of truth and righteousness, which are embodied by the figure of the king in this context. In contemporary life, this verse can inspire individuals to stand up for what is right and just, even in the face of adversity, by finding their inner strength and conviction. It promotes a sense of responsibility and duty towards a higher cause, reflecting Vivekānanda's message of service to humanity and the pursuit of spiritual growth through selfless action.