tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamebhyaḥ sagaraḥ paryavartata tāṁ yajñārthe suduṣkarāṁ tadā
“Then Sagar, for the sake of the sacrifice, turned to the white and jumping (horses) which was then extremely difficult to accomplish.”
Structure
tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamebhyaḥ sagaraḥ paryavartata tāṁ yajñārthe suduṣkarāṁ tadā
Tadā (then) Sagarah (Sagara) śvetebhyaḥ (white) plavaṅgamebhyaḥ (horses) paryavartata (obtained/gathered), Tāṁ (that) yajñārthe (for the sake of the sacrifice) suduṣkarāṁ (very difficult) tadā (at that time)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tataḥ | tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śvetebhyaḥ | śvetebhyaḥ | noun | dative/ablative · plural · masculine | to the white (horses) |
| plavaṅgamebhyaḥ | plavaṅgamebhyaḥ | noun | dative/ablative · plural · masculine | to the jumping ones (horses) |
| sagaraḥ | sagaraḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Sagara (the king) |
| paryavartata | paryavartata | verb | √vart · past · third | went around, surrounded |
| tāṁ | tāṁ | pronoun | accusative · singular · feminine | that (yajñā) |
| yajñārthe | yajñārthe | compound | karmadhāraya · "yajña + ārthe" | for the sake of the sacrifice |
| suduṣkarāṁ | suduṣkarāṁ | adjective | — | very difficult |
| tadā | tadā | indeclinable | — | then |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse points to the non-dual nature of reality, where the distinction between the individual self (jiva) and the ultimate reality (brahman) is transcended. Shankara's commentary on the Mahabharata highlights the concept of 'sudṛṣṭi' or right perception, which allows one to see beyond the external rituals and understand the true nature of reality. In this context, Sagar's efforts to accomplish the sacrifice represent the individual's striving for self-realization. The 'white and jumping horses' symbolize the unpredictable nature of the mind, which must be harnessed and directed towards the ultimate goal of realizing the brahman-ātman identity. As Shankara notes in his Brahmasutra Bhashya, the ultimate reality is beyond all duality, and the individual must cultivate a deep understanding of this non-dual nature to attain liberation.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse highlights the importance of devotion and self-surrender in achieving spiritual growth. Ramanuja's commentary on the Mahabharata emphasizes the concept of 'prapatti' or self-surrender, where the individual surrenders their ego and desires to the divine will. Sagar's efforts to accomplish the sacrifice represent the devotee's striving to please the Lord and attain His grace. The 'white and jumping horses' symbolize the restless and unpredictable nature of the human mind, which must be controlled and directed towards the Lord. As Ramanuja notes in his Gita Bhashya, the Lord is the ultimate reality and the individual must cultivate a deep sense of devotion and surrender to attain His grace and liberation. This verse underscores the Vaiṣṇava emphasis on the importance of bhakti and self-surrender in achieving spiritual growth.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse has significant implications for contemporary life, as it highlights the importance of perseverance and self-discipline in achieving one's goals. Swami Vivekananda, in his lectures on the Mahabharata, emphasizes the concept of 'tapas' or self-discipline, which is essential for achieving success in any field. Sagar's efforts to accomplish the sacrifice represent the individual's striving for self-realization and personal growth. The 'white and jumping horses' symbolize the challenges and obstacles that one must overcome in order to achieve success. As Vivekananda notes in his Complete Works, the individual must cultivate a strong sense of willpower and self-discipline in order to overcome these challenges and achieve their goals. This verse underscores the importance of developing a strong and resilient mind, which is essential for achieving success and fulfillment in contemporary life.