atha rājā jagāma cittaṁ praviśya Rāmasya dhīmataḥ
“Then, having entered the mind of wise Rāma, the king (Dasharatha) came (to his consciousness)”
Structure
atha rājā jagāma cittaṁ praviśya Rāmasya dhīmataḥ
Rāmasya (of Rama) dhīmataḥ (the wise one) cittaṁ (mind) praviśya (having entered) atha (then) rājā (the king) jagāma (went)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| atha | atha | indeclinable | — | then, now |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| jagāma | jagāma | verb | √gam · past · third | he went |
| cittaṁ | cittaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | mind |
| praviśya | praviśya | indeclinable | — | having entered |
| Rāmasya | Rāmasya | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of Rama |
| dhīmataḥ | dhīmataḥ | adjective | — | of the wise one |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, 'atha rājā jagāma cittaṁ praviśya Rāmasya dhīmataḥ', highlights the non-dual nature of reality. Shankara's commentary on the Brahmasūtra (1.1.1) notes that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is the essence of all existence. In this verse, King Dasharatha entering Rāma's mind symbolizes the individual self (jīva) merging into the universal Self (Brahman). Shankara would likely interpret 'cittaṁ praviśya' as the dissolution of the individual ego into the universal consciousness, illustrating the Brahman-ātman identity. This verse underscores the Advaita concept that the distinctions between subject and object, or individual and universal, are transcended in the ultimate reality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse is noteworthy for its depiction of the intimate relationship between the jīva (King Dasharatha) and Īśvara (Rāma). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā (18.66), emphasizes the importance of surrender (prapatti) to the Lord. Here, Dasharatha's entry into Rāma's mind can be seen as a symbol of complete surrender and devotion. Madhvācārya might view this verse as an exemplar of the difference (bheda) between the Lord and the devotee, highlighting the dependence of the jīva on Īśvara's mercy. This verse illustrates the Vaiṣṇava concept of the jīva's relationship with the Lord, characterized by love, surrender, and dependence.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a powerful message for contemporary life. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lecture 'The Powers of the Mind' (Complete Works, Vol. 4), emphasizes the importance of mental concentration and the ability to access higher states of consciousness. The image of King Dasharatha entering Rāma's mind can be seen as a metaphor for the individual's potential to access the universal mind or collective unconscious. S. Radhakrishnan, in his book 'The Hindu View of Life', notes that the Hindu scriptures emphasize the development of the inner life and the cultivation of a deeper sense of consciousness. This verse can be applied to modern life by encouraging individuals to cultivate mindfulness, introspection, and a deeper connection to their own inner selves and the world around them.