tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgebhyāḥ śṛṇvān śabdān mahāmṛdhe
“Then, in the great war, he heard sounds from the white monkeys.”
Structure
tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgebhyaḥ śṛṇvān śabdān mahāmṛdhe
tataḥ (then) śṛṇvān (listening) mahāmṛdhe (in the great war) śabdān (sounds) plavaṅgebhyaḥ (from monkeys) śvetebhyaḥ (and from white ones, i.e., horses)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tataḥ | tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śvetebhyaḥ | śvetebhyaḥ | noun | ablative · plural · masculine | from the white ones |
| plavaṅgebhyaḥ | plavaṅgebhyaḥ | noun | ablative · plural · masculine | from the frogs |
| śṛṇvān | śṛṇvān | verb | √śru · laṭ-present · first | I hear |
| śabdān | śabdān | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | sounds |
| mahāmṛdhe | mahāmṛdhe | noun | locative · singular · masculine | in the great battle |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgebhyāḥ śṛṇvān śabdān mahāmṛdhe, points towards the non-dual nature of reality. Shankara, in his Brahmasutra Bhashya, discusses the concept of 'śabda' (sound) as a means to attain knowledge of the ultimate reality, Brahman. Although Shankara does not directly comment on this verse, his interpretation of sound in the context of Brahman-ātman identity can be applied here. The 'white monkeys' may symbolize the pure and untainted aspects of the self, and the 'sounds' heard from them could represent the intuitive knowledge or the whisper of the conscience that guides us towards the realization of the unity of all existence. This interpretation aligns with Shankara's emphasis on the direct experience of the ultimate reality beyond the duality of the mundane world.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition, particularly through the lens of Rāmānujācārya, views this verse as an illustration of the devotee's journey towards union with the Lord. The 'white monkeys' can be seen as symbolic of the devotees or the bhaktas who, through their devotion, produce the 'sounds' of praise and worship. This interpretation is in line with Rāmānujācārya's concept of 'aprūrittir' (the Lord's grace), where the Lord facilitates the devotee's approach towards him through various means, including the company of other devotees. The 'great war' setting may represent the internal and external challenges faced by the devotee, and the act of 'hearing sounds' signifies the grace or the call of the Lord that guides the devotee through these challenges. Unfortunately, direct commentary from Ramanuja or Madhva on this specific verse is not readily available, but their broader philosophical and theological positions support this devotional reading.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda and S. Rādhākrishnan, key figures of Neo-Vedānta, would likely interpret this verse in the context of the universal human quest for meaning and connection. The 'sounds from the white monkeys' could symbolize the innate yearning within every individual for something higher and more meaningful. Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the 'Universal Religion,' emphasized the importance of recognizing and embracing this universal human aspiration, which transcends the boundaries of creed, caste, and colour. Similarly, Rādhākrishnan, in his 'Indian Philosophy,' discusses the concept of 'śabda' in relation to the universal principles of truth and morality. This verse, in a modern context, could be seen as a call to listen to the inner voice or the universal conscience that speaks to us about our shared humanity and our interconnectedness, echoing Vivekānanda's message of universal brotherhood and Rādhākrishnan's emphasis on the practical application of philosophic principles in everyday life.