tataḥ śataguṇa varṇo vavṛdhe sahasrakiraṇaḥ。
“Then the colourful (rainbow) expanded a hundredfold, with a thousand rays.”
Structure
tataḥ śataguṇaḥ varṇaḥ vavṛdhe sahasrakiraṇaḥ
sahasrakiraṇaḥ (thousand-rayed) varṇaḥ (color) śataguṇaḥ (hundredfold) tataḥ (then) vavṛdhe (increased)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tataḥ | tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śataguṇaḥ | śataguṇaḥ | adjective | — | hundredfold, multiplied by a hundred |
| varṇaḥ | varṇaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | color, hue |
| vavṛdhe | vavṛdhe | verb | √vṛdh · past · third | he increased, grew |
| sahasrakiraṇaḥ | sahasrakiraṇaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | thousand-rayed, an epithet of the sun |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Mahābhārata, 'tataḥ śataguṇa varṇo vavṛdhe sahasrakiraṇaḥ', describes the expansion of the colourful rainbow a hundredfold with a thousand rays. According to Śaṅkarācārya, such a description serves as a metaphor for the ultimate reality, Brahman. The colours and rays represent the multifaceted nature of Brahman, which, despite its diversity, remains a unified, non-dual entity. Śaṅkarācārya's commentary on the Brahma Sūtras (particularly in the context of the Mahāvākya 'Tat tvam asi') highlights the identity of the individual self (ātman) with Brahman, pointing towards a deeper understanding of the universe as an undivided whole. In this context, the expansion of the rainbow's colours symbolizes the unfolding of the individual's awareness towards this unified reality, ultimately leading to the realization of the brahman-ātman identity.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava interpretation of 'tataḥ śataguṇa varṇo vavṛdhe sahasrakiraṇaḥ' focuses on the relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sūtras, emphasizes the concept of 'aprāpti' or 'attainment' where the individual soul strives for union with the divine. The expansion of the rainbow a hundredfold with a thousand rays can be seen as a symbol of the Lord's infinite attributes and the multifaceted nature of His grace. The verse, in this context, suggests the boundless opportunities and ways through which Īśvara reveals Himself to the devotee, guiding the jīva towards mokṣa or liberation. Madhvācārya, focusing on the dualistic aspect, would interpret the colourful expansion as a demonstration of the Lord's power and variety in creation, reinforcing the distinction between the jīva and Īśvara while highlighting the dependency of the former on the latter.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda and S. Rādhākrishnan, key figures of Neo-Vedānta, would interpret 'tataḥ śataguṇa varṇo vavṛdhe sahasrakiraṇaḥ' in the context of universal principles applicable to contemporary life. For Vivekānanda, this verse symbolizes the potential for human growth and development, where the 'hundredfold expansion' and 'thousand rays' represent the vast, untapped capacities within every individual. In his lectures on 'Complete Works', Vivekānanda often spoke about the importance of realizing one's inner strength and the limitless potential that lies within, echoing the theme of personal growth symbolized by the expanding rainbow. Radhakrishnan, focusing on the philosophical aspect, would see this verse as an allegory for the evolution of human consciousness towards a more enlightened state, where the diversity of human experience (represented by the colours and rays) converges into a unified understanding of the world and our place within it, reflecting his emphasis on the universal and the interconnectedness of all existence.