tasya tv aśva-patanasya yat paraṁ ca pṛthivyaiḥ । na tat tad viṣṇumāyāyāḥ khalu aśāntim ayi ॥ ४९ ॥
“The anxiety caused to Dasaratha by the fall of the horse which was more than the earth could bear did not at all subside on account of the illusions created by Vishnu.”
Structure
tasya, tvam, aśva-patanasya, yat, param, ca, pṛthivyaiḥ, na, tat, tat, viṣṇu-māyāyāḥ, khalu, aśāntim, ayi
tasya (of that one) tvam (you) aśva-patanasya (of the fall of the horse) yat (what) param (great) ca (and) pṛthivyaiḥ (to the earth) na (not) tat (that) tat (is) viṣṇu-māyāyāḥ (a part of Viṣṇu's power) khalu (indeed) aśāntim (discord) ayi (produces)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tasya | tasya | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | of him |
| tvam | tvam | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | you |
| aśva-patanasya | aśva-patanasya | compound | tatpuruṣa · "aśva-patanasya = aśva-pātana-sya" | of the fall of the horse |
| yat | yat | indeclinable | — | which |
| param | param | adjective | — | supreme |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| pṛthivyaiḥ | pṛthivyaiḥ | noun | ablative · plural · feminine | from the earths |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tat | tat | pronoun | nominative · singular · neuter | that |
| tat | tat | pronoun | nominative · singular · neuter | that |
| viṣṇu-māyāyāḥ | viṣṇu-māyāyāḥ | compound | tatpuruṣa · "viṣṇu-māyāyāḥ = viṣṇu-māyā-yāḥ" | of the power of Viṣṇu |
| khalu | khalu | indeclinable | — | indeed |
| aśāntim | aśāntim | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | peace |
| ayi | ayi | indeclinable | — | has gone |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, Shankara discusses the concept of 'māyā' and its role in obscuring the ultimate reality of Brahman. This verse exemplifies the operation of māyā, as the anxiety caused by the fall of the horse is a product of the illusions created by Vishnu, which prevents one from realizing the true nature of the Self. According to Shankara, the ultimate goal is to transcend these worldly concerns and realize the identity of Brahman and ātman. This verse highlights the need to look beyond the ephemeral nature of worldly events and seek the eternal truth. Shankara's reasoning emphasizes the non-dual nature of reality, where the distinctions between the individual self and the ultimate reality are ultimately illusory. By citing this verse, we see how the non-dual reading of the Rāmāyaṇa is essential to understanding the ultimate goal of liberation.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse highlights the complex relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). The anxiety caused by the fall of the horse represents the suffering of the jīva, which is a result of its separation from Īśvara. The illusions created by Vishnu's māyā serve as a reminder of the Lord's power and control over the universe. Ramanuja's commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā emphasizes the importance of surrendering to the will of Īśvara, and this verse illustrates the need for the jīva to recognize its dependence on the Lord. Madhva, on the other hand, would interpret this verse as a demonstration of the Lord's sovereignty and the jīva's inherent subservience. Both traditions emphasize the devotional aspect, where the jīva's liberation is contingent upon its relationship with Īśvara.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a profound insight into the human condition, highlighting the inherent limitations of our perceptions and understanding. The anxiety caused by the fall of the horse represents the inevitable suffering that arises from our attachment to worldly events. Vivekananda, in his lecture on 'The Powers of the Mind', emphasizes the need to cultivate a sense of detachment and inner strength in order to transcend such anxieties. Radhakrishnan, in his book 'The Hindu View of Life', discusses the concept of 'māyā' as a symbol of the ephemeral nature of human experiences. This verse can be seen as a call to recognize the universal and eternal principles that underlie our existence, and to strive for a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us. By applying the wisdom of this verse to contemporary life, we can cultivate a greater sense of inner peace and resilience in the face of adversity.