tataḥ śatagatervipro vācaḥ śrutvā hṛdayena tam
“Then, having heard the words of Śatagarta with his heart”
Structure
tataḥ śatagatēḥ vipro vācaḥ śrutvā hṛdayena tam
tataḥ (then) śatagatēḥ (of Śatagatu) vipro (the Brahmin) vācaḥ (the words) śrutvā (having heard) hṛdayena (with his heart) tam (that)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tataḥ | tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śatagatēḥ | śatagatēḥ | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of one who has gone to a hundred (bows) |
| vipro | vipro | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Brahmin |
| vācaḥ | vācaḥ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | speech, words |
| śrutvā | śrutvā | indeclinable | — | having heard |
| hṛdayena | hṛdayena | noun | instrumental · singular · neuter | with the heart, sincerely |
| tam | tam | pronoun | accusative · singular · masculine | him |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, 'tataḥ śatagatervipro vācaḥ śrutvā hṛdayena tam', underscores the importance of internalizing spiritual knowledge. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sūtras, highlights the significance of 'śruta' or hearing, which is the first step towards realizing the ultimate truth. In this context, 'śrutvā hṛdayena' implies that the words of Śatagarta are not just heard but deeply understood and internalized, leading to a profound realization of the non-dual nature of reality. This realization is akin to the understanding of 'Tat tvam asi' (You are That), where the individual self (ātman) is recognized as one with the ultimate reality (Brahman). Shankara's emphasis on the direct experience and intuition of the ultimate truth is echoed in this verse, pointing towards the identity of Brahman and ātman.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The verse 'tataḥ śatagatervipro vācaḥ śrutvā hṛdayena tam' is significant in the Vaiṣṇava tradition for its emphasis on the role of the guru and the importance of devotion. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, discusses the concept of 'śaraṇāgati' or surrender, which is facilitated by the words of a true guru like Śatagarta. The phrase 'śrutvā hṛdayena' suggests a deep emotional and intellectual reception of the guru's words, leading to a state of complete devotion and surrender to Īśvara. This surrender is seen as a means to realize one's true nature and to understand the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). In this context, the verse points to the Vaiṣṇava concept of 'viśiṣṭādvaita' or qualified non-dualism, where the individual self is seen as distinct yet intimately related to the Supreme Lord.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): The verse 'tataḥ śatagatervipro vācaḥ śrutvā hṛdayena tam' offers a profound lesson for contemporary life. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on Vedānta, emphasized the importance of experiencing truth directly, rather than merely intellectualizing it. The phrase 'śrutvā hṛdayena' suggests that true understanding comes from the heart, implying a deep, intuitive grasp of the ultimate reality. This resonates with Vivekānanda's call for a practical Vedānta, where spiritual principles are lived and applied in everyday life. Similarly, S. Rādhākrishnan, in his writings, highlighted the significance of the 'inner experience' in realizing one's true nature. This verse, therefore, encourages a holistic approach to spirituality, where the head and the heart are aligned, leading to a life of purpose, harmony, and fulfillment. It underscores the universal and timeless relevance of Vedāntic principles, applicable across cultures and ages, for personal transformation and global harmony.