tato lakṣmaṇam āgaśya dadarśa atha sā nagarī
“Then, as he entered, he saw Laṅkā city.”
Structure
tato lakṣmaṇam āgaśya dadarśa atha sā nagarī
tato (then) lakṣmaṇam (Lakshmana) āgaśya (having come) dadarśa (saw) atha (then) sā (that) nagarī (city)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tato | tato | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| lakṣmaṇam | lakṣmaṇam | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | Lakṣmaṇa (accusative) |
| āgaśya | āgaśya | indeclinable | — | having gone to, having approached |
| dadarśa | dadarśa | verb | √dṛ · past · third | he saw |
| atha | atha | indeclinable | — | then, now |
| sā | sā | pronoun | nominative · singular · feminine | that (feminine) |
| nagarī | nagarī | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | city |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, tato lakṣmaṇam āgaśya dadarśa atha sā nagarī, presents an opportunity to reflect on the nature of reality and the self. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sūtras, emphasizes the importance of understanding the distinction between the ultimate reality (Brahman) and the world of appearances (māyā). In the context of this verse, Lakṣmaṇa's entry into Laṅkā city can be seen as a metaphor for the individual self (jīva) entering the realm of the world, which is ultimately an illusion. The verse points to the idea that the true nature of the self is not bound by the limitations of the world, but rather is identical with the ultimate reality, Brahman. This is in line with Shankara's reasoning in his commentary on the Taittirīya Upaniṣad, where he states that the self is not something that can be perceived by the senses, but rather is the very essence of consciousness itself.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition offers a devotional reading of this verse, emphasizing the relationship between the individual self (jīva) and the Supreme Lord (Īśvara). For Rāmānujācārya, the entry of Lakṣmaṇa into Laṅkā city represents the jīva's journey towards the realization of its inherent dependence on the Lord. The city of Laṅkā, with its grandeur and beauty, symbolizes the Lord's creation, and the jīva's entry into it represents the beginning of its devotional journey. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, would likely interpret this verse in the context of the Lord's grace, highlighting how the jīva's entry into the world is facilitated by the Lord's will. In both cases, the verse is seen as an opportunity to reflect on the jīva's relationship with the Lord and the nature of devotion. As Rāmānujācārya notes in his Śrī Bhāṣya, the jīva's dependence on the Lord is the key to understanding the nature of reality and the path to liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse, tato lakṣmaṇam āgaśya dadarśa atha sā nagarī, can be seen as a powerful symbol for personal growth and self-discovery in contemporary life. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and the need to look beyond the superficial realities of the world. The entry of Lakṣmaṇa into Laṅkā city can be seen as a metaphor for the individual's journey into the depths of their own consciousness, where they must confront their own limitations and biases. S. Rādhākrishnan, in his writings on the Upaniṣads, highlights the importance of understanding the universal principles that underlie human existence, and the need to cultivate a sense of empathy and compassion in our interactions with others. This verse can be seen as a reminder of the importance of cultivating these qualities, and of approaching life with a sense of wonder, curiosity, and openness, as we navigate the complexities of the modern world.