tataḥ śataguṇa vardhamānaḥ daśaguneṇa eha rāgavat tamaḥ

tataḥ (then) śataguṇa (hundredfold) vardhamānaḥ (increasing) daśaguneṇa (by tenfold) eha (thus) rāgavat (passionate) tamaḥ (than that)

Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, tataḥ śataguṇa vardhamāno daśagune neha rāgavattamaḥ, suggests the boundless and unparalleled growth of the individual self (jīva) towards realizing its true nature, which is none other than Brahman. In his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, Shankara emphasizes the importance of understanding the absolute non-duality of Brahman and ātman. This verse can be seen as a step in that direction, where the 'hundred times more powerful' and 'ten times more powerful than passion' indicate the immense potential of the self to transcend worldly attachments and passions, ultimately pointing towards the realization of the identity of Brahman and ātman. The verse indirectly supports Shankara's notion that through intense spiritual practice and self-inquiry, one can overcome the limitations imposed by the ego and worldly desires, thereby achieving liberation (moksha). By transcending rāga (passion), one approaches the state of vairagya (detachment), a crucial stage in the pursuit of moksha. Shankara's reasoning, as seen in his commentaries on the Upanishads, emphasizes the role of knowledge (jñāna) in this process, where the ultimate goal is to understand that the ātman is not different from Brahman.

Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The verse tataḥ śataguṇa vardhamāno daśagune neha rāgavattamaḥ highlights the profound relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, particularly through the lens of Rāmānujācārya's Vishishtadvaita Vedanta, this growth 'hundred times more powerful' and 'ten times more powerful than passion' can be understood as the jīva's potential for devotion and service to the Lord. Ramanuja, in his Gita Bhashya, emphasizes the path of bhakti (devotion) as a means to attain liberation, where the devotee's love for God becomes the driving force for spiritual growth. This verse can be seen as an encouragement for the devotee to strive for an ever-deepening relationship with the Divine, transcending worldly passions and attachments. The 'ten times more powerful than passion' suggests the transformative power of divine love, which not only surpasses but also redeems human passion, guiding the jīva towards its ultimate goal of union with Īśvara.

Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekananda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the universal and practical applications of ancient Indian spiritual wisdom. This verse, tataḥ śataguṇa vardhamāno daśagune neha rāgavattamaḥ, can be seen as a call to unlock human potential. Vivekananda, in his speech 'The Powers of the Mind', talks about the immense potential that lies within every individual, waiting to be tapped. The 'hundred times more powerful' and 'ten times more powerful than passion' signify the limitless potential of the human spirit when it is channelled in the right direction, away from mundane desires and towards higher goals. This resonates with Vivekananda's advocacy for the four yogas (Jnana, Bhakti, Karma, and Raja) as paths to self-realization and service to humanity. Similarly, S. Radhakrishnan, in his philosophical writings, highlights the importance of integrating spiritual wisdom into daily life, suggesting that this verse's message of transcending passion through the realization of one's true power can be a guiding principle for personal and societal transformation, leading to a more harmonious and enlightened world.

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