śraddhāmayo᱿si yaśaso᱿si dhairyastavasi . Ḥddhiᱬ ca tavasi . śraddhāmātreᰣa eva tu
“You are faith personified, you are fame personified, you are fortitude personified, and you are prosperity personified.”
Structure
śraddhāmayaḥ asi yaśasaḥ asi dhairyaḥ tava asi ṛddhiḥ ca tava asi śraddhāmātrena eva tu
śraddhāmayo (you are faith) asi (are) yaśasaḥ (of fame) asi (are) dhairyaḥ (courage) tava (your) asi (is) ṛddhiḥ (prosperity) ca (and) tava (your) asi (is) śraddhāmātrena (by faith alone) eva (only) tu (indeed)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| śraddhāmayaḥ | śraddhāmayaḥ | compound | bahuvrīhi · "śraddhā-mayaḥ" | having faith |
| asi | asi | verb | √as · laṭ-present · second | you are |
| yaśasaḥ | yaśasaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | glory |
| asi | asi | verb | √as · laṭ-present · second | you are |
| dhairyaḥ | dhairyaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | fortitude |
| tava | tava | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | your |
| asi | asi | verb | √as · laṭ-present · second | you are |
| ṛddhiḥ | ṛddhiḥ | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | prosperity |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| tava | tava | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | your |
| asi | asi | verb | √as · laṭ-present · second | you are |
| śraddhāmātrena | śraddhāmātrena | compound | karmadhāraya · "śraddhā-mātra" | by faith alone |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | alone |
| tu | tu | indeclinable | — | indeed |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Bhagavad Gītā underscores the non-dual nature of reality, where the ultimate reality, Brahman, is the essence of all attributes and qualities. Shankara's commentary on this verse, though not directly available, aligns with his broader interpretation of the Gītā, emphasizing that the attributes mentioned (faith, fame, fortitude, prosperity) are not separate entities but manifestations of the ultimate reality. In his Bhagavad Gītā Bhāṣya, Shankara often clarifies that such verses point to the brahman-ātman identity, suggesting that the self (ātman) is not different from Brahman, the supreme reality. This understanding is crucial for realizing the non-dual nature of existence, where all distinctions, including those between the individual self and the divine, are ultimately illusory. By attributing all positive qualities to the divine, the verse prompts the seeker to transcend the limitations of the ego and realize the universality of the self, thereby achieving liberation (mokṣa). This perspective encourages a deeper reflection on the nature of reality, guiding the seeker towards a path of self-inquiry and the realization of the ultimate truth.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as a testament to the glories of the Lord, where attributes like faith, fame, fortitude, and prosperity are not just qualities but are personified as aspects of the divine. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Gītā, would likely emphasize the importance of bhakti (devotion) in realizing these divine attributes within oneself. The relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Lord) is one of dependence, where the jīva, through devotion, can partake in the Lord's qualities. This verse, therefore, serves as an inspiration for the devotee to cultivate faith and other virtuous qualities, knowing they are manifestations of the divine. Madhvācārya, from a Dvaita perspective, might further stress the real distinction between the Lord and the devotee, yet both traditions concur on the centrality of devotion as a means to experience the divine attributes mentioned in the verse, leading to a deeper, personal relationship with the ultimate reality.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse from the Bhagavad Gītā offers a profound message for contemporary life, emphasizing the universal and practical application of faith, fame, fortitude, and prosperity. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often stressed the importance of faith and self-confidence in achieving success and realizing one's potential. He might interpret this verse as a call to recognize the divine within, where faith (śraddhā) is the foundation of all other attributes, enabling the individual to tap into inner reservoirs of strength and inspiration. S. Radhakrishnan, with his philosophical depth, would likely underscore the humanistic and ethical implications of this verse, seeing in it a directive for personal and societal transformation. By embodying qualities like faith, fame (in the sense of a good reputation), fortitude, and a spirit of prosperity (not just material but also spiritual), individuals can contribute to a more harmonious and progressive society, reflecting the universal and eternal principles found in the Gītā.