tatastu dṛṣṭvā ca pitā putraṁ putraḥ tvāṁ mahābalam.
“Then, having seen the son, the father, and the son seeing you, the great strength.”
Structure
tatastu dṛṣṭvā ca pitā putraṁ putraḥ tvāṁ mahābalam
pitā (father) ca (and) dṛṣṭvā (having seen) tatastu (then) putraṁ (son) putraḥ (son) tvāṁ (you) mahābalam (great strength)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tatastu | tatastu | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| dṛṣṭvā | dṛṣṭvā | indeclinable | — | having seen, on seeing |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| pitā | pitā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | father |
| putraṁ | putraṁ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | son |
| putraḥ | putraḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | son |
| tvāṁ | tvāṁ | pronoun | accusative · singular | you |
| mahābalam | mahābalam | compound | tatpuruṣa · "mahat balam" | great strength" or "very strong one |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Rāmāyaṇa highlights the non-dual relationship between the father (representing the ultimate reality, Brahman) and the son (symbolizing the individual self, Ātman). Shankara's commentary on the Brahmasūtra (2.1.14) clarifies that the ultimate reality is beyond human comprehension, yet this verse illustrates the intimacy between the Absolute and its manifestation. The phrase 'tatastu dṛṣṭvā ca pitā putraṁ' suggests the father's recognition of the son, signifying the inherent unity of Brahman and Ātman. This unity is central to Advaita Vedānta's non-dualistic philosophy, emphasizing the identity of the individual self with the universal Self. The verse thus underscores the idea that the distinctions between the individual and the ultimate reality are illusory, pointing to the ultimate Brahman-Ātman identity.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as an illustration of the loving relationship between the Lord (Īśvara) and the devotee (jīva). Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya (2.1.14), explains that the recognition of the son by the father signifies the Lord's loving glance upon the devotee, which awakens the devotee's awareness of their inherent relationship with God. The phrase 'putraḥ tvāṁ mahābalam' suggests the son's recognition of the father's greatness, symbolizing the devotee's devotion and surrender to the Lord's majestic power. This verse thus highlights the devotional aspect of the jīva-Īśvara relationship, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and surrendering to the Lord's greatness.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lecture 'The Absolute and Manifestation' (Complete Works, Vol. 2), interprets this verse as a metaphor for the inherent potential within every individual. The 'father' represents the divine potential, and the 'son' represents the individual's actualized self. The recognition between the father and son signifies the individual's self-realization, where one discovers their inner strength and divinity. This verse thus has a universal and practical application, encouraging individuals to recognize and tap into their inner potential, much like the son recognizes the greatness of the father. This self-realization is crucial in contemporary life, where individuals face numerous challenges, and recognizing one's inner strength can be a powerful tool for overcoming adversity.