tataḥ śataguṇā vardhamāno vṛkṣo'tha sahasraśaḥ.
“Then the tree grew a hundred times, and then a thousand times.”
Structure
tataḥ śataguṇā vardhamānaḥ vṛkṣaḥ atha sahasraśaḥ
tataḥ (then) śataguṇā (hundredfold) vardhamānaḥ (growing) vṛkṣaḥ (tree) atha (then) sahasraśaḥ (thousandfold)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tataḥ | tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, from that time |
| śataguṇā | śataguṇā | adjective | — | hundredfold |
| vardhamānaḥ | vardhamānaḥ | verb | √vrdh · present participle · third | growing, increasing |
| vṛkṣaḥ | vṛkṣaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | tree |
| atha | atha | indeclinable | — | then, and |
| sahasraśaḥ | sahasraśaḥ | indeclinable | — | thousandfold |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In the context of the Mahābhārata, this verse symbolizes the exponential growth of the self (ātman) towards realizing its true nature, which is non-different from Brahman. Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras and the Upanishads emphasizes the concept of 'ananda' or bliss as an inherent attribute of Brahman. The tree's growth a hundred times and then a thousand times can be seen as a metaphor for the unfolding of this inner bliss, as the individual self (jiva) progresses in its understanding and union with the ultimate reality, Brahman. This growth is not of the physical form but of the depth of realization, leading to the ultimate understanding that 'Tat tvam asi' - 'You are That', pointing to the fundamental identity of the individual self with the universal self, Brahman.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse can be interpreted within the Vaiṣṇava tradition as symbolizing the boundless grace of God (Īśvara) upon the devotee (jīva). The tree's growth signifies the increasing devotion and the consequent unfoldment of divine grace in the life of the devotee. Ramanuja's concept of 'aprathamya' or dependence on God suggests that the devotee's spiritual growth and ultimate liberation are solely dependent on the mercy of Īśvara. The exponential growth of the tree can thus represent the rapid expansion of one's spiritual consciousness as a result of surrendering to God's will, exemplifying the concept of 'prapatti' or self-surrender, a central tenet in Vaiṣṇava theology, which Madhva also emphasizes in his Dvaita philosophy as a means to attain 'mokṣa' or liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): From a modern perspective, this verse can be seen as a powerful allegory for personal and societal growth. Swami Vivekananda emphasized the importance of the individual's potential for inner growth and outer manifestation, akin to the tree's exponential expansion. This verse encourages individuals to tap into their inner reservoirs of potential, leading to personal transformation and societal progress. Radhakrishnan, in his philosophical writings, highlighted the role of reason and experience in understanding the ultimate reality. The tree's growth can symbolize the limitless potential of human consciousness, which, when nurtured, can lead to extraordinary achievements, mirroring the idea that 'you are the creator of your own destiny', a notion that resonates with contemporary themes of empowerment and self-actualization, emphasizing the universal applicability of ancient wisdom in modern life.