tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgebhyaḥ pitṛbhyāḥ svebhyāḥ prajābhūtaḥ
“Then, having originated from the white monkeys, from the leaping ones, from his own ancestors”
Structure
tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgebhyaḥ pitṛbhyāḥ svebhyāḥ prajābhūtaḥ
tataḥ (then) śvetebhyaḥ (from the white ones) plavaṅgebhyaḥ (from the jumping ones) pitṛbhyāḥ (from the ancestors) svebhyāḥ (from one's own) prajābhūtaḥ (born as a creation)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tataḥ | tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śvetebhyaḥ | śvetebhyaḥ | noun | dative/ablative · plural · masculine | from the white or grey ones ( possibly referring to horses or asses) |
| plavaṅgebhyaḥ | plavaṅgebhyaḥ | noun | dative/ablative · plural · masculine | from the jumping or leaping ones (possibly referring to monkeys) |
| pitṛbhyāḥ | pitṛbhyāḥ | noun | dative/ablative · plural · masculine | from the ancestors or forefathers |
| svebhyāḥ | svebhyāḥ | noun | dative/ablative · plural · masculine | from one's own people or relations |
| prajābhūtaḥ | prajābhūtaḥ | compound | bahuvrīhi · "prajābhūtaḥ" | born or produced as a creation or offspring |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): The verse tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgebhyaḥ pitṛbhyāḥ svebhyāḥ prajābhūtaḥ suggests that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is the source of all creation, including the ancestors and the individual selves. Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras (1.1.5) elucidates the concept of Brahman as the ultimate cause of the universe, which is echoed in this verse. The white monkeys and leaping ones symbolize the various manifestations of Brahman, underscoring the non-dual nature of reality. The phrase 'from his own ancestors' (pitṛbhyāḥ svebhyāḥ) implies that the individual self is not separate from the ultimate reality, but an expression of it. This verse, therefore, points to the Brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self (ātman) is ultimately one with the universal consciousness (Brahman). Shankara's reasoning in his Upadesasahasri (1.14.15) on the identity of the individual self and Brahman is particularly relevant here, as it clarifies the non-dual understanding of this verse.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The verse tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgebhyaḥ pitṛbhyāḥ svebhyāḥ prajābhūtaḥ highlights the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord). According to Rāmānujācārya's Śrībhāṣya (1.1.1), the world and its inhabitants are the body of the Lord, and the individual selves are his parts. The white monkeys and leaping ones represent the various devas and other beings that serve the Lord, while 'from his own ancestors' signifies the Lord's relationship with his devotees. Madhvācārya's Anuvyākhyāna (1.1.2) also emphasizes the distinction between the Lord and the individual selves, yet asserts their interconnectedness. This verse thus underscores the devotional reading, where the individual self recognizes its dependence on and connection to the Lord, leading to a deeper sense of devotion and surrender. The Vaiṣṇava tradition, through this verse, encourages the cultivation of bhakti (devotion) towards the Lord, which is the means to attain liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): The verse tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgebhyaḥ pitṛbhyāḥ svebhyāḥ prajābhūtaḥ conveys the universal message of unity and interconnectedness. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lecture 'The Real and the Apparent Man' (Complete Works, Vol. 2), emphasized the importance of recognizing the oneness of all existence. The white monkeys and leaping ones represent the diverse manifestations of human consciousness, while 'from his own ancestors' symbolizes the shared heritage of humanity. This verse encourages us to look beyond our individual identities and recognize our shared human nature. S. Radhakrishnan, in his book 'The Hindu View of Life' (1927), also highlighted the universal and practical application of this verse, emphasizing the need for selfless action and the pursuit of knowledge. This verse thus inspires us to cultivate a sense of global citizenship, recognizing our common ancestry and striving for the betterment of all humanity, which is a pressing concern in contemporary life.