tasya vacanād rājā pariṣtuṣṭaḥ sagaraputrān ādityavarcasam
“The king, pleased with his words, addressed the sons of Sagar, who shone like the Sun.”
Structure
tasya vacanāt rājā pariṣtuṣṭaḥ sagara-putrān āditya-varcasam
tasya (his) vacanāt (from the words) rājā (the king) pariṣtuṣṭaḥ (was pleased) sagara-putrān (Sagar's sons) āditya-varcasam (with solar radiance)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tasya | tasya | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | of him |
| vacanāt | vacanāt | noun | ablative · singular · masculine | by his word |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | the king |
| pariṣtuṣṭaḥ | pariṣṭuṣṭaḥ | verb | √tuṣ · past participle · third | being pleased |
| sagara-putrān | sagara-putrān | compound | tatpuruṣa · "sagara-putrān" | Sagara's sons |
| āditya-varcasam | āditya-varcasam | compound | tatpuruṣa · "ādityasya varcasam" | like the splendor of the sun |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Rāmāyaṇa, 'tasya vacanād rājā pariṣtuṣṭaḥ sagara-putrān āditya-varcasam', underscores the universal satisfaction that arises from recognizing the inner Self. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra, highlights the importance of such recognition in realizing the non-dual nature of reality (Brahman). Though Shankara does not directly comment on this verse, his emphasis on the unity of the ātman and Brahman is relevant. The 'ādityavarcasam' or the brilliance akin to the sun symbolizes the effulgent nature of the Self. Thus, when the king addresses the sons of Sagar with pleasure, it signifies the joy of self-realization, pointing towards the ultimate truth that all beings are essentially the same, pure consciousness. This non-dualistic interpretation guides the seeker towards understanding the identity of Brahman and ātman, encouraging a deeper inquiry into the nature of the Self.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition views this verse through the lens of bhakti, or devotion. Rāmānujācārya, in his Bhagavad Gītā Bhāṣya, discusses the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord), emphasizing the importance of devotion and surrender. Though Rāmānuja does not specifically comment on this verse, the concept of 'rājā pariṣtuṣṭaḥ' (the king being pleased) can be seen as analogous to the Lord's pleasure with the devotion of His devotees. The 'sagara-putrān' (sons of Sagar) represent the jīvas who, through their actions and devotion, seek to please the Lord. 'Ādityavarcasam' signifies the divine brilliance that the jīva embodies when aligned with the will of Īśvara. This verse, thus, underscores the Vaiṣṇava emphasis on loving service and devotion as the means to attain spiritual fulfillment and union with the Divine.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Rāmāyaṇa, highlighted the universal principles of harmony and cooperation found in ancient Indian texts. This verse, 'tasya vacanād rājā pariṣtuṣṭaḥ sagara-putrān āditya-varcasam', demonstrates the power of wise and compassionate leadership, where the king's words bring satisfaction and inspire his people, symbolized by the sons of Sagar. The imagery of 'ādityavarcasam' suggests an enlightenment or awakening that comes from following the path of righteousness and truth. In contemporary terms, this verse speaks to the modern quest for leadership that embodies wisdom, compassion, and vision, inspiring individuals to strive for their highest potential. As Rādhākrishnan noted in his writings, such verses remind us of the importance of integrating our inner and outer lives, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose that reflects the universal and practical application of ancient wisdom in today's world.