← All Shlokas
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa · 1.93
तयोस्त्ववश्यं प्रथित्यते राजा यशसा सह ।

tayostvavaśyaṃ prathitayate rājā yaśasā saha

The king's fame along with (his ministers') certainly spreads

Structure

Padaccheda — word separation

tayoḥ + tvavāśyaṃ + prathitayate + rājā + yaśasā + saha

Anvaya — prose reordering

rājā (king) tayoḥ (of those two) yaśasā (with fame) saha (together) tvavāśyaṃ (certainly) prathitayate (is proclaimed)

Word-by-Word Grammar

WordIASTTypeGrammarMeaning
tayoḥtayoḥpronoungenitive · dual · masculine/neuterof him and that one/of them two
tvavāśyaṃtvavāśyaṃcompoundtatpuruṣa · "tvavāśya"dependent on you
prathitayateprathitayateverb√prath · present · thirdis proclaimed/is spread
rājārājānounnominative · singular · masculineking
yaśasāyaśasānouninstrumental · singular · neuterwith fame
sahasahaindeclinabletogether with

Scholarly Commentary

Advaita Vedānta(Ādi Śaṅkarācārya)

Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In the context of this verse, the emphasis on the king's fame spreading along with his ministers suggests the interconnectedness of all beings. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra, highlights the concept of brahman as the ultimate reality that underlies all existence. This verse can be seen as an illustration of how the king, representing the individual self (jīva), and his ministers, symbolizing the various aspects of the universe, are ultimately linked and intertwined, much like the non-dual essence of brahman and ātman. The spreading of fame, or prathitayate, can be interpreted as the manifestation of this underlying unity, where the individual's actions and reputation are inextricably tied to the world around them. Śaṅkarācārya's reasoning, as seen in his commentary on the Taittirīya Upaniṣad, emphasizes the importance of recognizing this fundamental oneness, allowing the individual to transcend the limitations of the ego and realize their true nature as brahman. Through this lens, the verse points to the brahman-ātman identity, encouraging the reader to look beyond the surface level of individual accomplishments and towards the deeper, unified reality that underlies all existence.

Vaiṣṇava Tradition(Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya)

Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse offers a glimpse into the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, the king can be seen as a representation of the devotee, while his ministers symbolize the various facets of the divine. The spreading of the king's fame, therefore, represents the devotee's growing reputation and influence, which is inextricably linked to their devotion to Īśvara. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of self-surrender and devotion to the Supreme Lord. In this context, the verse can be seen as an illustration of how the devotee's actions and reputation are ultimately tied to their relationship with Īśvara. The verse suggests that, just as the king's fame spreads along with his ministers, the devotee's spiritual growth and reputation are intimately connected to their devotion to the divine. This interpretation highlights the Vaiṣṇava emphasis on the personal relationship between the jīva and Īśvara, and the importance of cultivating devotion and self-surrender in order to realize one's true potential.

Neo-Vedānta(Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan)

Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse can be seen as a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all beings and the importance of collaboration and cooperation. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Vedanta, emphasizes the need for individuals to work together towards a common goal, recognizing that their individual success is inextricably linked to the success of those around them. In this sense, the verse can be interpreted as a call to collective action and mutual support, where the individual's achievements are not seen as isolated events, but rather as part of a larger web of relationships and interconnectedness. Rādhākrishnan, in his writings on the Upaniṣads, highlights the importance of recognizing the universal and eternal principles that underlie all existence. This verse, with its emphasis on the spreading of fame and the interconnectedness of the king and his ministers, can be seen as an illustration of these principles in action. The verse encourages the reader to look beyond individual accomplishments and to recognize the broader social and cosmic context in which they exist, and to strive for a sense of unity and cooperation that reflects the deeper, universal reality that underlies all existence.

More from this source

View all →
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa · 1.1नमो नामगुरवे वायव्याय निगमार्थ-समग्राय रामायणाय नमः ।I offer my obeisance to Vāyavya, the revered sage, who has comprehensively reveaVālmīki Rāmāyaṇa · 1.2नचोपकरणविस्तारेण भूमिं विहाय मातरं च सुमहताWithout delay or elaboration of the means, abandoning the earth and his great moVālmīki Rāmāyaṇa · 1.3नमस्तेऽस्तु महाबाहो श्रीमान् यशुरिन्द्रियः ।Great-armed one with majestic glory and senses of glory, I bow to you.Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa · 1.4नमस्तेऽस्तु महाबाहो राघव त्वयि सुप्रतिष्ठिताम्।Great-armed Rāghava, I bow to you, in you prosperity is well established.Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa · 1.5नमो नारायणाय नमः ।I offer my obeisance to Nārāyaṇa.Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa · 1.6अयोध्या पुरी वासुदेवस्य राजः पुरीति चाग्रतः ।The city of Ayodhyā was the residence of King Daśaratha, and it surpassed all ot