tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamebhyaḥ sumahatā vavṛte ॥ १२० ॥
“Then the great one chose the white monkeys.”
Structure
tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamebhyaḥ sumahatā vavṛte
tataḥ (then) śvetebhyaḥ (from the white ones) plavaṅgamebhyaḥ (from the leaping ones) sumahatā (the very great one) vavṛte (chose)
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 | from the jumping ones |
| sumahatā | sumahatā | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | a great or excellent jumper |
| vavṛte | vavṛte | verb | √vṛ · past · third | he/ she/ it chose or selected |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamebhyaḥ sumahatā vavṛte, when considered through the lens of non-dualism, points towards the ultimate reality, Brahman. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentaries on the Upaniṣads, often emphasizes the importance of recognizing the ātman, the individual self, as being non-different from Brahman, the universal reality. The choice of the white monkeys by the great one can be seen as a symbol of the discrimination between the real and the unreal, the eternal and the transient. Just as the white monkeys are chosen, the seeker of truth must choose to focus on the eternal, unchanging aspect of reality, which is the ātman-Brahman. This verse, in the context of the Mahābhārata, serves as a reminder to seek the ultimate truth beyond the ephemeral world of names and forms. By choosing the white monkeys, the great one exemplifies the wisdom of discrimination, leading the seeker towards the realization of the non-dual ātman-Brahman identity.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse can be interpreted as symbolizing the Lord's grace towards His devotees. The 'great one' choosing the white monkeys represents the Lord's act of choosing those who are pure and devoted to Him. Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya, discusses the concept of the Lord's sovereignty and His freedom to choose those who will receive His grace. This verse can be seen as an illustration of this concept, where the great one, symbolizing the Lord, chooses the white monkeys, representing the devotees who are pure and deserving of His grace. The relationship between the jīva (the individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord) is one of dependence and surrender, where the jīva seeks refuge in Īśvara, and Īśvara, out of His mercy, bestows His grace upon the jīva. This verse, therefore, underscores the importance of devotion and surrender in the pursuit of spiritual liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the practical application of spiritual principles in contemporary life. Considering this verse, the choice of the white monkeys by the great one can be seen as a metaphor for the importance of discernment and choice in our daily lives. In his speech 'The Powers of the Mind', Vivekānanda talks about the power of the human mind to choose and to discern, emphasizing that this power is what sets humans apart from other creatures. This verse, in a modern context, reminds us of the need to cultivate this power of discernment, to choose what is pure, noble, and uplifting, and to reject what is base and degrading. It calls upon us to be 'great ones' in our own lives, making choices that reflect our highest aspirations and values. In this sense, the verse has a universal and practical application, encouraging us to strive for excellence and to make conscious, meaningful choices in our personal and collective lives.