tasya tadbhagavānvākyaṁ śrutvā suprahṛṣṭavadanaḥ
“Having heard those words of the Lord, his face became exceedingly delighted.”
Structure
tasya - tad - bhagavān - vākyaṁ - śrutvā - supraḥ - hṛṣṭa - vadanaḥ
tasya (his) bhagavān (the glorious one) tad - vākyaṁ (that word) śrutvā (having heard) supraḥ (exceedingly) hṛṣṭa (delighted) vadanaḥ (face)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tasya | tasya | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | of him |
| tad | tad | pronoun | accusative · neuter singular · neuter | that |
| bhagavān | bhagavān | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | the Lord |
| vākyaṁ | vākyaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | speech |
| śrutvā | śrutvā | indeclinable | — | having heard |
| supraḥ | supraḥ | indeclinable | — | (no direct translation, intensifying the next word) |
| hṛṣṭa | hṛṣṭa | verb (past participle) | — | rejoiced |
| vadanaḥ | vadanaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | face |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the significance of realizing the ultimate truth, where the individual self (jīva) merges with the absolute reality (Brahman). Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras highlights the importance of hearing (śruti) in the process of Self-realization. Here, the delighted countenance of the listener upon hearing the Lord's words (tadbhagavānvākyaṁ) signifies the initial spark of enlightenment, where the individual begins to understand the non-dual nature of reality. Shankara's reasoning emphasizes that such moments of profound understanding lead the seeker towards the ultimate goal of realizing the Brahman-ātman identity, where all distinctions between the individual and the absolute dissolve. In the context of this verse, the joy (suprahṛṣṭavadanaḥ) is not just emotional but indicative of the dawning of a deeper, spiritual understanding.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava interpretation of this verse focuses on the devotional aspect, emphasizing the loving relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his Sri Bhasya, discusses the importance of bhakti (devotion) in achieving spiritual liberation. The delight on the face of the listener upon hearing the Lord's words is seen as an exemplification of the transformative power of divine grace and the devotee's unwavering faith. This interaction symbolizes the reciprocal love between the Lord and His devotee, where the Lord's message fills the heart of the devotee with joy, illustrating the Vaiṣṇava concept of prapatti, or surrender, as a means to attain spiritual liberation. The verse thus highlights the personal, loving relationship between God and the soul, central to Vaiṣṇava theology.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda often spoke about the universal applicability of Vedantic principles in everyday life, emphasizing the importance of spiritual experience over mere philosophical debates. This verse, with its depiction of joy upon hearing spiritual truth, resonates with Vivekānanda's teachings on the need for direct, personal experience of the divine. In his lectures, he frequently emphasized that true knowledge is that which transforms the individual, echoing the idea presented in this verse where hearing the Lord's words leads to a profound inner change. Similarly, S. Rādhākrishnan, in his writings, underscores the relevance of Vedantic thought in fostering a sense of unity and purpose in contemporary life. This verse, therefore, can be seen as encouraging individuals to seek out and embracing spiritual truths that bring about personal transformation and a deeper sense of connection with the world around them, reflecting the Neo-Vedānta emphasis on practical spirituality.