atho bahunāmo yad ihopahṛtyate . coryāṣṭamī rātrau vāsudevasya janma-taḥ ||
“Moreover, it is on the eighth day of the dark half of the month that many names are brought forth, on the night of the birth of Vāsudeva.”
Structure
atho - bahunāmo - yad - ihopahṛtyate - coryāṣṭamī - rātrau - vāsudevasya - janmataḥ
yad (what) bahunāmo (many names) ihopahṛtyate (is taken here) atho (then) coryāṣṭamī (on the eighth day, eighth lunar day) rātrau (at night) vāsudevasya (of Vasudeva) janmataḥ (from the birth) eva (indeed)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| atho | atho | indeclinable | — | then, therefore, now |
| bahunāmo | bahunāmo | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | having many names |
| yad | yad | pronoun | nominative · neuter | which, what |
| ihopahṛtyate | ihopahṛtyate | verb | √hṛ · passive · third | is taken up, is spoken |
| coryāṣṭamī | coryāṣṭamī | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | the eighth day of the dark half of the month |
| rātrau | rātrau | noun | locative · singular · masculine | at night |
| vāsudevasya | vāsudevasya | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of Vāsudeva |
| janma-taḥ | janmataḥ | compound | karmadhāraya · "janma-taḥ" | from birth |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse is often interpreted by Ādi Śaṅkarācārya as emphasizing the importance of understanding the ultimate reality beyond names and forms. The mention of many names being brought forth on the eighth day of the dark half of the month is seen as a symbolic representation of the diverse manifestations of the ultimate reality. Śaṅkarācārya would likely argue that the birth of Vāsudeva, or Krishna, represents the emergence of the divine within the individual self, and the night of his birth signifies the darkness of ignorance that is transcended by the light of knowledge. In this context, the verse is seen as encouraging the seeker to look beyond the multiplicity of names and forms and to realize the unity of existence.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition, represented by scholars like Rāmānujācārya and Madhvācārya, interprets this verse as a celebration of the divine incarnation of Krishna, or Vāsudeva. The eighth day of the dark half of the month is considered sacred as it marks the birth of Krishna, who is seen as the supreme deity. The many names brought forth on this night are understood as the various attributes and aspects of the divine that are manifest in Krishna. This verse is seen as an affirmation of the importance of devotion to Krishna and the recognition of his divine nature. The Vaiṣṇava tradition emphasizes the role of bhakti, or devotion, in achieving spiritual liberation, and this verse is often cited as a testament to the power of devotion to Krishna.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): The modern interpreters of Vedānta, such as Swami Vivekānanda and S. Rādhākrishnan, view this verse as a call to self-discovery and the realization of the divine within. The birth of Vāsudeva is seen as a symbol of the emergence of the higher self, and the many names brought forth on this night represent the various facets of the human personality. This verse is understood as an encouragement to explore the depths of one's own being and to discover the unity and wholeness that lies within. The Neo-Vedānta tradition emphasizes the importance of individual experience and the direct realization of the ultimate reality, and this verse is seen as a pointer to the inner journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth.