tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamebhyaḥ saṅgame lomaśaḥ ।
“Then Lomaśa, with the white monkeys, arrived at their meeting place.”
Structure
tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamebhyaḥ saṅgame lomaśaḥ
tataḥ (then) śvetebhyaḥ (with the white ones) plavaṅgamebhyaḥ (with the leaping ones) lomaśaḥ (Lomasha) saṅgame (in the assembly)
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 |
| saṅgame | saṅgame | noun | locative · singular · masculine | in the battlefield |
| lomaśaḥ | lomaśaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Lomaśa (proper noun, a sage) |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In this verse, tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamebhyaḥ saṅgame lomaśaḥ, Śaṅkara's commentary highlights the non-dual nature of reality by implying that the distinctions between beings, such as the monkeys and Lomaśa, are superficial. He might argue that just as the monkeys and Lomaśa converge, the ultimate reality, Brahman, is the convergence point of all seeming dualities. This is in line with his commentary on the Brahmasūtras, where he establishes the identity of Brahman and Ātman. The white monkeys, symbolizing purity, meeting Lomaśa signifies the return to this pure, unified consciousness, underscoring the Advaitic notion that the ultimate truth transcends temporal and spatial distinctions.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse can be seen as an allegory for the journey of the jīva towards Īśvara, with Lomaśa representing a spiritual guide or a devotee who facilitates this journey. The white monkeys could symbolize the purified selves of devotees who, under the guidance of Lomaśa, approach their meeting place, symbolizing the proximity to the divine. Rāmānujācārya might interpret this as an illustration of the path of bhakti, where the devotee, with the help of a guru or spiritual preceptor, approaches the Lord, emphasizing the personal relationship between the jīva and Īśvara. Madhvācārya, emphasizing the difference between the Lord and the devotee, might view this verse as highlighting the role of grace and the necessity of divine intervention in facilitating this meeting, underscoring the dependence of the jīva on Īśvara's will.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda would likely interpret this verse as a call to unity and the recognition of the shared human experience. The meeting of Lomaśa with the white monkeys represents the convergence of different paths towards a common goal. This verse can be seen as a symbol of the universal quest for truth and the ultimate unity of all existence. Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of realizing this unity in diversity, suggesting that all beings are moving towards the same ultimate reality. S. Radhakrishnan might connect this idea with contemporary life by advocating for tolerance, mutual respect, and cooperation, stressing that the realization of our shared humanity is essential for global peace and harmony. The verse thus serves as a reminder of the importance of coming together in our diversity, just as Lomaśa and the monkeys converge, to forge a more unified and compassionate world.