tasya vacanād rājā parituṣyata sa gṛhītvān ca tato dhanurvaraḥ
“The king was pleased with his words and then the best archer took up the bow.”
Structure
tasya vacanād rājā parituṣyata sa gṛhītvān ca tato dhanurvaraḥ
rājā tasya vacanād parituṣyata, sa ca tato dhanurvaraḥ gṛhītvān (the king was pleased with his words, and then the best of archers took)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tasya | tasya | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | of him |
| vacanād | vacanād | noun | ablative · singular · masculine | by his words |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | the king |
| parituṣyata | parituṣyata | verb | √tuṣ · laṭ · third | was delighted |
| sa | sa | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | he |
| gṛhītvān | gṛhītvān | verb | √gṛh · laṭ · third | having taken |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| tato | tato | indeclinable | — | then |
| dhanurvaraḥ | dhanurvaraḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | the best archer |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse presents an opportunity to reflect on the non-dual nature of reality. The king's pleasure and the act of taking up the bow can be seen as a metaphor for the individual self (jiva) realizing its true nature as the ultimate reality (Brahman). Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras (1.1.1) discusses the identity of Brahman and the individual self, which is also relevant to this verse. The phrase 'tasya vacanād rājā parituṣyata' suggests that the king's satisfaction is not merely a mundane reaction but a reflection of the inner harmony that arises from the understanding of the true nature of self. This verse thus alludes to the brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self, in its pure form, is seen as an inseparable part of the ultimate reality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition would interpret this verse through the lens of devotion and the relationship between the individual (jiva) and the Supreme Lord (Īśvara). Ramanuja, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, discusses the concept of prapatti or self-surrender, where the individual surrenders to the will of the Lord. The king's acceptance of the advice and the subsequent action can be seen as an act of surrender to a higher authority, symbolizing the jiva's submission to Īśvara. This act of surrender leads to inner peace and satisfaction, as reflected in 'parituṣyata'. The verse thus underscores the devotional path, emphasizing the importance of trust and obedience in the divine plan.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekananda often spoke about the importance of self-realization and the universal principles that underlie all religious traditions. This verse can be seen as a call to action, where the individual, inspired by higher ideals, takes up the 'bow' of self-discipline and determination. In his lectures on 'Karma Yoga', Vivekananda discusses the role of action in achieving spiritual growth, suggesting that work done selflessly can lead to inner satisfaction and peace. The verse 'tasya vacanād rājā parituṣyata' highlights the importance of being guided by wisdom and values, leading to a sense of fulfillment that is not merely personal but contributes to the greater good. This universal message of selfless action and inner fulfillment is highly relevant to contemporary life, emphasizing the need for individuals to find purpose and meaning in their endeavors.