[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]
Adi Sankara on the Vishnu Sahasranama
I came across a part of the commentary of Adi Sankara on the
Vishnu Sahasranama. It's so beautiful that I want to share it
with you all.
The sloka in reference is ... " Suvratah Sumukhah Sukshmah... "
The interpretations for the first two names is-
1) Suvratah : " He who takes Good Vows "
Vibhishana quarrelled with Ravana and came to Rama for refuge.
Rama then consulted with Sugreeva whether he should accept him, as
Vibhishana was from the enemy camp, and moreover, Ravana's brother.
Sugreeva expressed his opinion by saying that after all, he too is
a kinsman of Ravana and so cannot be trusted.
But then, Rama says, " So what if he is Ravana's brother? he has taken
refuge in me. Whosoever takes refuge in me, him I will not send away."
Hence, the vow " Whosoever takes refuge in me, him I will not send away",
made him "Suvrata".
2) Sumukhah : of good countenance
Kaikeyi received the boon from Dasaratha that Rama was to go to the forest
and her own son Bharata should rule the kingdom instead. So she called
Rama and told him about the boon she received from king Dasaratha.
Rama, on hearing that he was to go to the forest and not be crowned king,
accepted it as if nothing had changed. There was absolutely no change of
expression on his face!! ( In fact, according to some other interpretations
of the Ramayana, Lakshmana came to see Kaikeyi as soon as Rama left her
room, and saluted Rama. Even he could not make out from his elder brother's
expression if something unsusual had happened!)
Hence the name "Sumukhah".
I specifically wish to thank my father for the above translation.
sincerely,
Kartik
