Tataḥ śataguṇā jāhau raudraṁ visrumphitaṁ vacaḥ
“Then she spoke a hundred times more furious and uncontrolled words.”
Structure
Tataḥ śataguṇā jāhau raudram visrumphitam vacaḥ
Tataḥ (then) śataguṇā (having a hundred-fold power) jāhau (I emitted) raudram (fierce) visrumphitam (resounding) vacaḥ (voice)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tataḥ | Tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śataguṇā | śataguṇā | noun | nominative · plural · feminine | a hundredfold, hundredfold |
| jāhau | jāhau | verb | √jā · past · first | I emitted, I produced |
| raudram | raudram | adjective | — | fierce, terrible |
| visrumphitam | visrumphitam | verb participle | — | having been emitted, produced |
| vacaḥ | vacaḥ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | speech, voice |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Rāmāyaṇa highlights the intensity of emotions that can arise when the individual self (jīva) is misidentified with the transient and ephemeral world. According to Shankara, such misidentification leads to a proliferation of thoughts and emotions, as seen in the 'hundred times more furious and uncontrolled words' spoken by the character in question. This intensification of emotional expression serves as a reminder of the need to discriminate between the permanent, unchanging essence (Brahman-ātman) and the fleeting, conditioned phenomena of the world. Through this discrimination, one can attain liberation from the cycle of suffering. As Shankara notes in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, the ultimate reality of Brahman is beyond all duality and distinction, and it is this Brahman that is the true essence of the self.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The verse under discussion offers a glimpse into the complex relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Lord). According to Rāmānujācārya, the outpouring of emotions in this verse illustrates the inherent dependence of the jīva on Īśvara, as the soul's feelings and actions are ultimately rooted in its connection to the divine. The 'hundred times more furious and uncontrolled words' spoken by the character can be seen as a manifestation of the jīva's struggle to reconcile its own desires and emotions with the will of Īśvara. This struggle is a fundamental aspect of the human condition, and it is through devotion (bhakti) and surrender to the Lord that the jīva can find peace and liberation. As Rāmānujācārya notes in his Śrī Bhāshya, the jīva's relationship with Īśvara is one of inseparable dependence, and it is this dependence that forms the foundation of bhakti.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse from the Rāmāyaṇa serves as a reminder of the universal human experience of emotion and the importance of self-awareness in navigating life's challenges. As Swami Vivekānanda notes in his lectures on the 'Complete Works', the uncontrolled expression of emotions can lead to chaos and suffering, both for the individual and for those around them. In contrast, the cultivation of self-awareness and emotional regulation can lead to greater peace, harmony, and understanding. The 'hundred times more furious and uncontrolled words' spoken by the character in this verse can be seen as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked emotion and the importance of developing a deeper understanding of oneself and the world. As Rādhākrishnan observes in his 'Indian Philosophy', the key to achieving this understanding lies in the cultivation of a broader, more compassionate perspective, one that recognizes the interconnectedness of all beings and the ultimate unity of human experience.