tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ śveta vāyuratha nabhaḥ pali ।
“Then from the white (horses) a white wind and from the sky a pale (cloud) emerged.”
Structure
tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ śvetaḥ vāyuḥ atha nabhaḥ pali
tataḥ (then) śvetebhyaḥ (from the white ones) śvetaḥ (white) vāyuḥ (wind) atha (then) nabhaḥ (sky) pali (is called)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tataḥ | tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śvetebhyaḥ | śvetebhyaḥ | noun | ablative · plural · masculine | from the whites, from the horses |
| śvetaḥ | śvetaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | white, pure |
| vāyuḥ | vāyuḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | wind, air |
| atha | atha | indeclinable | — | then, and |
| nabhaḥ | nabhaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | sky, heaven |
| pali | pali | verb | √pli · third person singular, present tense · third | he protects |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In this verse, the emergence of the white wind and the pale cloud from their respective sources signifies the non-dual nature of reality. Shankara, in his Brahmasūtrabhāṣya, while discussing the concept of 'abhāva' or non-existence, notes that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond all dichotomies, including existence and non-existence. This verse, by describing the white wind and the pale cloud as emerging from the white horses and the sky, respectively, points to the idea that all phenomena are interconnected and ultimately, all distinctions are transcended in the absolute, which is Brahman. This interpretation highlights the Advaita emphasis on the identity of Brahman and Ātman, where all distinctions are seen as illusory. Thus, the verse suggests that the distinctions between the source and the emerging entities are not fundamental, pointing towards a deeper, non-dual reality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse can be seen as an allegory for the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord). The white wind and the pale cloud, emerging from their sources, symbolize the dependence of the jīva on Īśvara. Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrībhāṣya, emphasizes the concept of 'prapatti' or total surrender to the Lord, which is reflective of the dependence of the jīva on Īśvara. The pale cloud, like the jīva, is sustained by the sky (Īśvara), just as the white wind is connected to the white horses (the means to reach Īśvara). This verse, therefore, underscores the devotional aspect of the Vaiṣṇava tradition, emphasizing the seeker's dependence on the divine and the path of surrender as a means to attain liberation. The relationship between the emerging entities and their sources is seen as a metaphor for the divine-human relationship, with an emphasis on devotion and surrender.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse, in the context of modern life, can be seen as a symbol for the emergence of new ideas and perspectives from existing knowledge and experiences. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on 'The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda', emphasizes the importance of embracing change and the evolution of thought as essential for personal and societal growth. The white wind and the pale cloud, emerging in their respective forms, signify the transformation and evolution that occur as we engage with new experiences and ideas. This verse, thus, encourages the seeker to be open to new knowledge, to explore, and to evolve, much like the natural phenomena described. Rādhākrishnan, in his philosophical writings, also underscores the importance of synthesis and the integration of diverse perspectives, which this verse symbolizes through the emergence of different entities from their sources. The universal and practical application of this verse lies in its encouragement to embrace change, to seek knowledge, and to evolve towards a more unified understanding of the world and our place within it.