tathāgatavato vācā yathāśāstraṁ yathāgatam । na mithyāpravṛttasya kṛtaṁ cedvacanaṁ prabho ॥
“The words of Him who has thus come, correspond to the Shastra and are in conformity with what has been said; and verily, the speech of One who has not deviated from truth, is not false, O Lord.”
Structure
tathāgatavato vācā yathā śāstraṁ yathā gatam na mithyā pravṛttasya kṛtam ca vacanam prabho
prabho (of the Lord) tathā āgatavato (having thus arrived) vācā (the speech) yathā śāstraṁ (according to the Shastra) yathā gatam (as it has come) na (not) mithyā pravṛttasya (of one who has recourse to falsehood) kṛtam ca (and made) vacanam (the statement)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tathāgatavato | tathāgatavato | compound | bahuvrīhi · "tathāgataḥ + āvataḥ" | having gone to or attained that state |
| vācā | vācā | noun | instrumental · singular · feminine | with speech |
| yathā | yathā | indeclinable | — | as, in accordance with |
| śāstraṁ | śāstraṁ | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | scripture, teaching |
| yathā | yathā | indeclinable | — | as, in accordance with |
| gatam | gatam | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | that which has been done or attained |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| mithyā | mithyā | indeclinable | — | falsely, wrongly, or in vain |
| pravṛttasya | pravṛttasya | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of one who has begun or undertaken |
| kṛtam | kṛtam | verb | √kṛ · past participle · third | done |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| vacanam | vacanam | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | speech, statement |
| prabho | prabho | noun | vocative · singular · masculine | O Lord |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse is pivotal in establishing the non-dual nature of reality. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sūtra, emphasizes the importance of scriptural authority (śāstra) in understanding the ultimate truth. The phrase 'tathāgatavato vācā' suggests that the words of the enlightened one are in conformity with the śāstra, implying a singular, unchanging reality. This points to the identity of brahman and ātman, where the individual self (ātman) is ultimately one with the absolute reality (brahman). The verse underscores the idea that truth, as revealed in the scriptures and through the words of the enlightened, is non-dual and unchanging, guiding the seeker towards the realization of this ultimate identity.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse through the lens of devotion and the relationship between the individual soul (jīva) and the Supreme Lord (Īśvara). Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya, highlights the significance of the phrase 'yathāśāstraṁ yathāgatam', emphasizing the Lord's words as being in accordance with the scriptures and His own nature. This underscores the dependance of the jīva on Īśvara for liberation and the importance of following the path laid down by the scriptures and the words of the enlightened, who embody the will of the Lord. Madhvācārya, with his emphasis on the difference between the Lord and the soul, would interpret this verse as a call to recognize and worship the Lord as the ultimate authority and guide.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Vedanta, often emphasized the practical application of scriptural truths in everyday life. This verse, with its emphasis on the truthfulness and authority of the enlightened one's words, resonates with Vivekānanda's call to recognize the divine within every individual. He would see in this verse an encouragement to seek truth, not merely as a philosophical concept, but as a living, breathing reality that can guide human actions and aspirations towards a higher, universal good. Similarly, S. Radhakrishnan, in his philosophical writings, would highlight the universal applicability of this verse, seeing in it a reflection of the eternal principles of truth, non-violence, and the pursuit of wisdom that are common to all spiritual traditions, offering a way forward for humanity's collective spiritual evolution.