tasya vacanād rājā tuṣṭaḥ sagaropari
“The king, pleased with his words, stood up.”
Structure
tasya vacanāt rājā tuṣṭaḥ sagaropari
tasya (his) vacanāt (from the words) rājā (the king) sagara (of Sagar) upari (over) tuṣṭaḥ (was pleased)
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 words |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | the king |
| tuṣṭaḥ | tuṣṭaḥ | verb | √tuṣ · past participle · third | was pleased |
| sagaropari | sagaropari | compound | karmadhāraya · "sagaro 'pari" | over Sagar |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, tasya vacanād rājā tuṣṭaḥ sagaropari, highlights the non-dual nature of reality. Shankara's commentary on the Brahmasūtra (1.1.1) notes that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is the essence of all existence. In this context, the king's pleasure (tuṣṭaḥ) in response to the words (vacanād) can be seen as a reflection of the bliss inherent in Brahman. The phrase sagaropari, meaning 'stood up' or 'rose above,' symbolizes the transcendence of the individual self (ātman) to realize its unity with Brahman. This unity is the ultimate truth, as stated in the famous mahāvākya 'Tat tvam asi' (You are That). Thus, the verse points to the brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self recognizes its non-dual nature with the ultimate reality. Through this understanding, one can attain liberation (mokṣa) and experience the bliss of Brahman.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): This verse illustrates the concept of prasāda, or divine grace, in the Vaiṣṇava tradition. The king's pleasure (tuṣṭaḥ) in response to the words (vacanād) signifies the benevolence of the divine, which is a fundamental aspect of the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya's commentary on the Brahmasūtra (1.1.1) emphasizes the importance of bhakti, or devotion, in realizing this relationship. The phrase sagaropari, indicating the king's physical rise, can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual upliftment of the jīva through devotion and surrender to the will of Īśvara. This verse, therefore, highlights the devotional reading of the Vaiṣṇava tradition, where the individual self seeks to please the Lord and attain divine grace, ultimately leading to liberation (mokṣa) and union with the divine.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse, tasya vacanād rājā tuṣṭaḥ sagaropari, has a profound universal and practical application in contemporary life. Swami Vivekananda, in his lecture 'The Ideal of a Universal Religion,' emphasizes the importance of harmony and unity among individuals. The king's pleasure (tuṣṭaḥ) in response to the words (vacanād) can be seen as a symbol of this harmony, where individuals come together in mutual understanding and respect. The phrase sagaropari, indicating the king's rise above, represents the human aspiration for transcendence and self-improvement. S. Radhakrishnan, in his book 'The Hindu View of Life,' notes that this aspiration is a fundamental aspect of human nature, driving individuals to strive for excellence and realize their full potential. This verse, therefore, encourages us to cultivate a sense of unity, harmony, and self-awareness, ultimately leading to personal growth and the betterment of society as a whole.