tayoḥ pitṛsahasreṇa yatsametya mahātmavān । na tu me tādṛśo vaṃśo yatprabhūtaṃ dhanaṃ vaśet ॥
“But I do not come from a family that could assemble a thousand fathers and still have such great wealth under its control.”
Structure
tayoḥ pitṛsahasreṇa yad saametya mahātmavān na tu me tādṛśo vaṃśo yad prabhūtam dhanaṃ vaśet
tayoḥ (of those two) pitṛsahasreṇa (with a thousand ancestors) yad (which) saametya (having obtained) mahātmavān (great-souled) (becomes); na tu (not indeed) me (my) tādṛśoḥ (such) vaṃśoḥ (lineage) yad (in which) prabhūtam (much) dhanaṃ (wealth) vaśet (rules)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tayoḥ | tayoḥ | pronoun | genitive · dual · masculine | of them two |
| pitṛsahasreṇa | pitṛsahasreṇa | compound | tatpuruṣa · "pitṛsahasra + eṇa" | with a thousand fathers/ancestors |
| yad | yad | pronoun | nominative · neuter singular · neuter | that which |
| saametya | saametya | indeclinable | — | having met/obtained |
| mahātmavān | mahātmavān | adjective | — | having a great soul |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tu | tu | indeclinable | — | indeed/but |
| me | me | pronoun | dative · singular · masculine | to me |
| tādṛśo | tādṛśo | adjective | — | such like that |
| vaṃśo | vaṃśo | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | lineage/family |
| yat | yat | pronoun | nominative · neuter singular · neuter | which |
| prabhūtam | prabhūtam | adjective | — | rich/abundant |
| dhanaṃ | dhanaṃ | noun | nominative · neuter singular · neuter | wealth |
| vaśet | vaśet | verb | √vaś · optative · third | may possess |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Rāmāyaṇa Kāṇḍa can be interpreted through the lens of non-duality, where the emphasis is on the ultimate reality, Brahman. According to Śaṅkarācārya, the concept of a thousand fathers gathering and wielding great wealth symbolizes the multitude of worldly attachments and desires that an individual may possess. However, the verse suggests that true freedom and understanding come from recognizing that these worldly possessions and relationships are ultimately ephemeral and illusory. In his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, Śaṅkarācārya underscores the importance of discerning between the real and the unreal, the permanent and the impermanent. This verse, by highlighting the limitations of worldly wealth and family lineage, indirectly points towards the pursuit of the eternal and unchanging Brahman-ātman identity, which is the core of Advaita Vedānta philosophy.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse can be seen as an expression of humility and devotion. Rāmānujācārya, in his interpretation of the Vedas and the Purāṇas, often emphasizes the importance of surrender to the divine will of Īśvara. The statement about not coming from a family that could assemble a thousand fathers with great wealth under its control may be viewed as a reflection of the speaker's recognition of their limited individual capabilities and the fleeting nature of worldly power. This recognition can lead to a deeper reliance on and devotion to a higher power, Īśvara, in the form of Rāma or another deity revered in the Vaiṣṇava tradition. Madhvācārya, with his emphasis on the difference between the soul (jīva) and God (Īśvara), would likely interpret this verse as underscoring the dependence of the jīva on Īśvara's grace for true fulfillment and liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda and S. Rādhākrishnan, key figures in the Neo-Vedānta movement, would likely interpret this verse in a manner that emphasizes its universal and practical applications. Vivekānanda, known for his stress on the potential of the human soul, might see this verse as a call to look beyond external markers of status and wealth, focusing instead on the inner strength and spiritual wealth that comes from self-realization. Rādhākrishnan, with his philosophical inclination towards the integration of Eastern and Western thought, could view this verse as an invitation to reflect on the transient nature of material achievements and the importance of cultivating a sense of detachment and inner peace in the face of life's challenges. Both thinkers would likely encourage readers to engage with the deeper implications of this verse, using it as a spur to personal reflection and spiritual growth in the context of contemporary life.