tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamebhyaḥ sagaṇābhyāḥ ।
“Then to the white monkeys with attendants.”
Structure
tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamebhyaḥ sagaṇābhyāḥ
tataḥ (then) śvetebhyaḥ (from the white ones) plavaṅgamebhyaḥ (to the jumping ones) sagaṇābhyāḥ (with their attendants)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tataḥ | tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śvetebhyaḥ | śvetebhyaḥ | noun | dative/ablative · plural · masculine | from the white ones |
| plavaṅgamebhyaḥ | plavaṅgamebhyaḥ | noun | dative/ablative · plural · masculine | to the leapings ones, to the monkeys |
| sagaṇābhyāḥ | sagaṇābhyāḥ | compound | bahuvrīhi · "sa-gaṇābhyāṃ" | along with their troops/companions |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): The verse 'tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamebhyaḥ sagaṇābhyāḥ' suggests a journey towards the ultimate reality, Brahman. Shankara's commentary on the Bhagavad Gita emphasizes the concept of 'ātman' as the inner Self, which is beyond the limitations of the physical body. In this context, the 'white monkeys' can be seen as a symbol of the purified mind, which is a necessary step towards realizing the non-dual nature of reality. According to Shankara, the ultimate goal is to transcend the distinctions between the individual self (jīva) and the Supreme Self (Brahman), and this verse points to the importance of purification and self-inquiry in achieving this goal. As Shankara notes in his commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad, 'The knower of the Self, having known the Self, becomes the Self' (Taittiriya Upanishad 2.1.1), indicating the ultimate identity of the individual self with Brahman.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The phrase 'śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamebhyaḥ' can be interpreted as a reference to the devotees of Lord Vishnu, who are like white monkeys, pure and devoted. Ramanuja's commentary on the Brahmasūtras emphasizes the concept of 'prapatti,' or surrender, as the means to attain the grace of the Lord. In this context, the 'white monkeys' represent the devotees who have surrendered themselves to the Lord and are under His protection. The phrase 'sagaṇābhyāḥ' suggests that these devotees are accompanied by their attendants, symbolizing the relationship between the jīva and Īśvara, where the individual self is always connected to and dependent on the Supreme Self. As Ramanuja notes in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, 'The Lord is the inner Self of all beings, and He is the one who grants liberation' (Bhagavad Gita 15.15), highlighting the devotional relationship between the individual and the Divine.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekananda's lectures on the Upanishads emphasize the practical application of the Vedantic principles in everyday life. The verse 'tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamebhyaḥ sagaṇābhyāḥ' can be seen as a call to transcend the limitations of the individual ego and to move towards a higher state of consciousness. The 'white monkeys' represent the purified and refined aspects of human nature, which are necessary for spiritual growth. As Vivekananda notes in his lecture on 'The Real Nature of the Soul,' 'The soul is not limited by the body; it is unlimited, all-pervading, and eternal' (The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Vol. 2), highlighting the importance of recognizing and cultivating the inner divine potential. This verse points to the universal and eternal nature of the Self, which is beyond the boundaries of time and space, and encourages the individual to strive for self-realization and spiritual liberation.