tataḥ prādurbhūto janayatāṃ janānīṃ satīṃ
“Then the true mother appeared.”
Structure
tataḥ prādurbhūto janayatām janānīm satīm
tataḥ (then) prādurbhūto (having appeared) janānīm (the mother) satīm (who was devoted) janayatām (of those who give birth)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tataḥ | tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| prādurbhūto | prādurbhūto | verb | √bhū · past · third | appeared, came into being |
| janayatām | janayatām | noun | genitive · plural · masculine | of those who bring into being |
| janānīm | janānīm | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | the mother, she who brings into being |
| satīm | satīm | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | the good, noble, or virtuous one |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In this verse, the phrase 'jananīṃ satīṃ' or 'the true mother' symbolizes the ultimate reality, Brahman. According to Shankara, the appearance of the true mother signifies the realization of one's true nature, which is none other than Brahman. This is in line with his commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad, where he explains that the knowledge of Brahman is the knowledge of one's own Self (ātman). The verse points to the non-dual identity of Brahman and ātman, where the individual self realizes its true nature as being one with the ultimate reality. Shankara's reasoning emphasizes the importance of self-inquiry and the removal of ignorance (avidyā) to realize this ultimate truth. In the context of this verse, the true mother represents the unchanging, eternal essence that underlies all existence, and her appearance signifies the dawn of this realization.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse is seen as an expression of the divine love and care of the Supreme Being towards his devotees. The 'true mother' represents the embodiment of divine compassion and nurturing, echoing the character of Sītā, the ideal wife and mother in the Rāmāyaṇa. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of surrender (prapatti) to the Lord, who is the ultimate refuge and protector. The appearance of the true mother in this verse can be seen as a symbol of this surrender, where the devotee finds solace and comfort in the loving embrace of the divine. The verse highlights the personal relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord), where the jīva seeks refuge and protection in the loving care of the divine mother.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse holds a profound message for modern times, emphasizing the importance of reconnecting with our inner selves and the universal essence that underlies all existence. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Rāmāyaṇa, highlighted the universal and timeless appeal of this epic, which transcends sectarian and cultural boundaries. The 'true mother' in this verse represents the universal mother principle, which nurtures and sustains all life. This verse encourages us to look beyond the superficial and mundane, and to seek the deeper, eternal truth that lies within. As Radhakrishnan notes in his writings, the Rāmāyaṇa offers a powerful symbol of the human quest for the eternal and the divine, and this verse, in particular, invites us to explore the mysteries of our own inner world and to discover the true mother – the source of all wisdom, love, and compassion – within ourselves.