Tataḥ śataguṇa varṇo vijāyate yaḥ sumadhuraḥ । Sumadhuraścaivānusargād bhaved vaḥ ॥ ४२२ ॥
“Then from you will arise one with a hundredfold splendor, and extremely sweet (in his speech), who will be charming by natural disposition.”
Structure
Tataḥ śataguṇaḥ varṇoḥ vijāyate yaḥ sūmadhuraḥ Sūmadhuraḥ ca eva anusargāt bhavet vaḥ
Tataḥ (then) śataguṇaḥ (one hundred times) varṇoḥ (the color) vijāyate (is produced) yaḥ (which) sūmadhuraḥ (is very sweet) Sūmadhuraḥ (very sweet) ca (and) eva (indeed) anusargāt (by nature) bhavet (be) vaḥ (for you)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tataḥ | Tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śataguṇaḥ | śataguṇaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | one hundredfold, greatly increased |
| varṇoḥ | varṇoḥ | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of colour, of castes |
| vijāyate | vijāyate | verb | √jā · present · third | is born, arises |
| yaḥ | yaḥ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | who, which |
| sūmadhuraḥ | sūmadhuraḥ | adjective | — | very sweet |
| Sūmadhuraḥ | Sūmadhuraḥ | adjective | — | very sweet |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | indeed, surely |
| anusargāt | anusargāt | noun | ablative · singular · masculine | from the conjunction, according to the rule |
| bhavet | bhavet | verb | √bhū · optative · third | may be, should be |
| vaḥ | vaḥ | pronoun | second · plural | you (plural) |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): The verse under consideration, 'Tataḥ śataguṇa varṇo vijāyate yaḥ sumadhuraḥ', hints at the ultimate non-dual reality where the individual self (ātman) realizes its true nature as being one with Brahman. According to Shankara, the 'hundredfold splendor' signifies the manifold manifestations of the universe, all of which are ultimately reducible to the singular, undivided essence of Brahman. The 'extremely sweet' speech refers to the gentle, guiding voice of one's inner conscience, leading the seeker towards the realization of this unity. Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras ( particularly 1.1.1) outlines how all scriptural knowledge aims at understanding this brahman-ātman identity, and this verse serves as an affirmation of that quest for unity and understanding.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as an allusion to the advent of a divine incarnation or a great devotee who embodies the qualities of the Lord. Rāmānujācārya would interpret 'śataguṇa varṇo' as the manifestation of the Lord's attributes in a jīva, resulting in an individual of extraordinary virtue and attractiveness. The 'sumadhuraḥ' quality of speech signifies the sweetness of devotional expressions and teachings that attract others to the path of bhakti. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, might view this verse as indicative of the difference (bheda) between the Lord and the jīva, highlighting the jīva's potential for spiritual growth and proximity to the Lord through devotion. This verse underscores the importance of recognizing and following the guidance of such enlightened beings in one's spiritual journey.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekananda would interpret this verse as a call to recognize the inherent potential within each individual to manifest a 'hundredfold splendor'. He emphasized the importance of realizing one's true self and expressing it in the world, much like the 'sumadhuraḥ' speech, which symbolizes the harmony and beauty that can arise from a life lived in accordance with one's higher nature. In his lectures on 'Practical Vedanta', Vivekananda highlighted the universal principles that can guide humanity towards a more compassionate, equitable, and enlightened society. Similarly, S. Radhakrishnan, in his philosophical writings, would see this verse as underscoring the balance between individual growth and social responsibility, advocating for a life of service and wisdom that reflects the highest potential of human nature.