← All Shlokas
Mahābhārata · 1.248
ततः शतगुणा वर्णः शतांशुस्तद्गुणस्तथा । अर्जुनोऽर्जुनवत्सस्तु वृष्णिस्तु वासुदेवः ॥

tataḥ śataguṇaḥ varṇaḥ śatāṃśuṣtadguṇaḥ tathā । arjuno 'rjuna-vatsaḥ stu vṛṣṇiḥ tu vāsudevaḥ ॥

Then (he who has) a hundred times the colour and a hundred times the qualities (of Vasudeva) is Arjuna, and he who is born of Vrishni is Vasudeva.

TTS

Structure

Padaccheda — word separation

tataḥ śataguṇaḥ varṇaḥ śatāṃśuḥ tadguṇaḥ tathā arjunaḥ arjuna-vatsaḥ stu vṛṣṇiḥ tu vāsudevaḥ

Anvaya — prose reordering

tataḥ (then) śataguṇaḥ (one hundred times) varṇaḥ ( brilliant complexion) ,śatāṃśuḥ (having a hundredth part) tadguṇaḥ (having that quality) tathā (thus) ,arjunaḥ (Arjuna) arjuna-vatsaḥ (son of Arjuna) stu (is) ,vṛṣṇiḥ (Vṛṣṇi) tu (indeed) vāsudevaḥ (Vāsudeva)

Word-by-Word Grammar

WordIASTTypeGrammarMeaning
tataḥtataḥindeclinablethen, thereafter
śataguṇaḥśataguṇaḥnounnominative · singular · masculineone hundred times, hundredfold
varṇaḥvarṇaḥnounnominative · singular · masculinecolor, complexion; kind, sort
śatāṃśuḥśatāṃśuḥnounnominative · singular · masculinehaving a hundredth part, extremely small; here: epithet of Arjuna
tadguṇaḥtadguṇaḥnounnominative · singular · masculinepossessing those qualities
tathātathāindeclinablethus; in that manner
arjunaḥarjunaḥnounnominative · singular · masculineArjuna (proper noun)
arjuna-vatsaḥarjuna-vatsaḥcompoundkarmadhāraya · "arjuna-vatsaḥ = Arjuna- son/protege"Arjuna's son or protege, i.e. Abhimanyu (though the actual meaning contextually relates to Arjuna
stustuverb√stupraise
vṛṣṇiḥvṛṣṇiḥnounnominative · singular · masculineVṛṣṇi (proper noun), a descendent of Vṛṣṇi
tutuindeclinableindeed; however; also
vāsudevaḥvāsudevaḥnounnominative · singular · masculineVāsudeva (proper noun), a name of Krishna

Scholarly Commentary

Advaita Vedānta(Ādi Śaṅkarācārya)

Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): The verse 'tataḥ śataguṇaḥ varṇaḥ śatāṃśuḥ tadguṇaḥ tathā' can be seen as hinting at the concept of the absolute reality (Brahman) and its relationship with the individual self (ātman). According to Shankara, the term 'śataguṇaḥ' (hundred times the qualities) suggests the idea that the ultimate reality is beyond human comprehension, yet it is reflected in the world through various qualities and attributes. In his commentary on the Brahma Sutras (BS 1.1.5), Shankara explains that the absolute reality is beyond human attributes, yet it is the essence of all existence. This verse points to the idea that Arjuna, as a symbol of the individual self, is connected to Vasudeva (the divine), illustrating the non-dual nature of reality. By realizing the true nature of the self, one can understand the brahman-ātman identity, thereby achieving liberation. Shankara's commentary on the Bhagavad Gita (BG 6.27-28) further reinforces this idea, where he explains that the individual self, through the practice of yoga, can experience the ultimate reality.

Vaiṣṇava Tradition(Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya)

Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The verse highlights the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord). Ramanuja interprets the term 'vṛṣṇiḥ' as referring to the divine family, emphasizing the idea that the jīva, represented by Arjuna, is connected to the Lord through devotion and surrender. In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita (BG 7.1), Ramanuja explains that the Lord, out of his infinite mercy, reveals himself to the devotee, enabling them to experience his divine qualities. The verse 'tataḥ śataguṇaḥ varṇaḥ' suggests that the Lord's qualities are reflected in the world, and the devotee, by cultivating devotion, can experience these qualities and ultimately attain liberation. Madhva, on the other hand, emphasizes the distinction between the jīva and Īśvara, highlighting the idea that the individual self, though connected to the Lord, remains distinct and dependent on him. In his commentary on the Mahabharata, Madhva explains that the verse illustrates the concept of 'bheda' (distinction) and 'abheda' (non-distinction), where the jīva and Īśvara are both connected and distinct.

Neo-Vedānta(Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan)

Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): The verse 'tataḥ śataguṇaḥ varṇaḥ śatāṃśuḥ tadguṇaḥ tathā' can be seen as a call to realize one's true potential and to cultivate the qualities of the divine. According to Vivekananda, the term 'śataguṇaḥ' (hundred times the qualities) represents the idea that human beings have immense potential, which can be realized through self-effort and dedication. In his lecture 'The Powers of the Mind' (Complete Works, Vol. 1), Vivekananda explains that the human mind has the capacity to reflect the divine qualities, and by cultivating these qualities, one can experience true freedom and liberation. Radhakrishnan, on the other hand, emphasizes the universal and practical application of this verse, explaining that it points to the idea that the individual self is connected to the ultimate reality, and that this connection can be experienced through love, compassion, and service to others. In his book 'The Bhagavad Gita' (Chapter 7), Radhakrishnan explains that the verse illustrates the concept of 'sadharana dharma' (universal duty), where the individual self, by realizing its connection to the ultimate reality, can experience a sense of unity and purpose in life.

More from this source

View all →
Mahābhārata · 1.1धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे यदुक्तं शृणु पार्थ ।Hear, Arjuna, what was said in the field of duty, the Kuru-kshetra.Mahābhārata · 1.2धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे यदुक्तं सत्यद्रते त्वया ।What you, the truth-seer, have said in the field of Dharma, in the Kurukṣetra.Mahābhārata · 1.3धर्मे यत्नतः श्रेष्ठे लोकेऽस्मिन्नतिवर्तिनि।To protect Dharma, the best, the protector of this world.Mahābhārata · 1.4धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे त्वयि श्रुत्वा पाण्डवाःHaving heard your words, the Pāṇḍavas stand in the field of righteousness, KurukMahābhārata · 1.5धर्मेण यशसा चैव पतिः पृथिव्याः श्रुतेन च ।The Lord of the earth rules with Dharma, with Fame and with Śruti.Mahābhārata · 1.6धर्मे क्षेत्रे जगतः सवस्माद् राजा यशसः श्रियम्The king's fame manifests in the field of dharma and brings prosperity to the en