tataḥ śvetebhyāsturagebhyāḥ śataṁ ca dehi niścalam
“Then give one hundred firm white horses.”
Structure
tataḥ śvetebhyāsturagebhyāḥ śataṁ ca dehi niścalam
tataḥ (then) śvetebhyāsturagebhyāḥ (from the white horses) śataṁ (hundred) ca (and) dehi (give) niścalam (steadfast)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tataḥ | tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śvetebhyāsturagebhyāḥ | śvetebhyāsturagebhyāḥ | compound | dvandva · "śvetāḥ turagaḥ ca" | to/from the white horses |
| śataṁ | śataṁ | noun | accusative singular · singular · neuter | hundred |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| dehi | dehi | verb | √dā · optative · second | give |
| niścalam | niścalam | adjective | — | unmoving, steady |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, 'tataḥ śvetebhyāsturagebhyāḥ śataṁ ca dehi niścalam', invites a non-dual reading where the emphasis is on the unity of the giver, the gift, and the recipient. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra, highlights the importance of understanding the ultimate reality, Brahman, as the essence of all existence. In the context of this verse, the 'white horses' can symbolize the pure and untainted aspects of the self, which, when dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge, lead to the realization of the brahman-ātman identity. The term 'niścalam' (firm, unwavering) underscores the steadfast nature of this realization, echoing the concept of 'sthita-prajña' in the Bhagavad Gītā. Thus, the verse points towards a transcendental understanding where the distinctions between giver, gift, and recipient dissolve, revealing the underlying non-dual reality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): Within the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is imbued with devotional significance, where the act of giving 'one hundred firm white horses' symbolizes the total surrender of one's possessions and will to the divine. Rāmānujācārya, in his interpretation of the Brahmasūtra, emphasizes the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord), where the jīva's liberation is contingent upon recognizing and surrendering to Īśvara's sovereignty. The 'white horses' in this context might represent the purified mind and heart, dedicated to the service of the Lord. The phrase 'niścalam' suggests a firm and unwavering commitment to this path of devotion, underscoring the Vaiṣṇava emphasis on prapatti, or complete surrender to God's will. This verse, therefore, serves as a reminder of the devotional path to spiritual liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lecture 'The Ideal of a Universal Religion', spoke of the need for humans to strive for the universal and the eternal, beyond the confines of sectarian beliefs. This verse, 'tataḥ śvetebhyāsturagebhyāḥ śataṁ ca dehi niścalam', when viewed through the lens of Neo-Vedānta, encourages a practical and universal application of spiritual principles. The 'white horses' can be seen as symbols of our talents, abilities, and resources, which, when dedicated to a higher cause, lead to personal growth and social welfare. The term 'niścalam' emphasizes the importance of firm resolve and unwavering commitment to one's ideals, echoing Vivekānanda's call to 'Arise, awake' and strive for a life of service and self-realization. This verse thus inspires a contemporary reader to reflect on their values and actions, fostering a sense of universal responsibility and the pursuit of a meaningful life.