tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamabhyāḥ sagaraḥ paryabhi vavṛte tato rājā babhūva ha
“Then Sagar surrounded the white horses with the leaping creatures, then that king was (born) .”
Structure
tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamabhyāḥ sagaraḥ paryabhi vavṛte tato rājā babhūva ha
Tato(then)sagaraḥ(Sagara)śvetebhyaḥ(from white)plavaṅgamabhyāḥ( monkeys)paryabhi vavṛte(encompassedlit. took around)tato(then)rājā(the king)babhūva(became)ha(indeed)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tataḥ | tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śvetebhyaḥ | śvetebhyaḥ | noun | dative/ablative · plural · masculine | from the white (horses) |
| plavaṅgamabhyāḥ | plavaṅgamabhyāḥ | compound | dvandva · "plavaṅgamāḥ ca eva abhyāḥ" | to the monkeys and to the steeds |
| sagaraḥ | sagaraḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Sagara |
| paryabhi | paryabhi | verb | √abhi · past · third | went around, encircled |
| vavṛte | vavṛte | verb | √vṛ · past · third | he went around |
| tato | tato | indeclinable | — | then |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| babhūva | babhūva | verb | √bhū · past · third | became |
| ha | ha | indeclinable | — | indeed, certainly |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, 'tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamabhyāḥ sagaraḥ paryabhi vavṛte tato rājā babhūva ha', when considered through the lens of non-duality, points towards the ultimate reality where distinctions like the horse (symbolizing the senses) and the leaping creatures (representing the restless mind) are encompassed by the sage, Sagara (indicative of wisdom). According to Shankara, the ultimate truth (Brahman) is beyond such dualities. In his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, Shankara emphasizes the need to transcend these worldly divisions to realize the identity of Brahman and Atman. Thus, this verse symbolically suggests the pursuit of wisdom to understand the true, unchanging Self beyond the transient, ever-changing world.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the context of Vaiṣṇava theology, this verse can be seen as an allegory of the relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). The 'white horses' may symbolize the purified soul, and the 'leaping creatures' could represent the worldly attachments that distract the soul from its divine nature. The 'Sagara' (ocean), which encircles both, signifies the all-encompassing divine grace that eventually leads the jīva to realize its inherent divinity. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentaries, emphasizes the role of divine grace in the liberation of the soul, and this verse could be interpreted as a metaphor for that journey towards union with the divine, where the soul, surrounded by divine grace, eventually becomes one with the Supreme.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): From a modern perspective, this verse offers insights into the universal struggle for self-realization and the practical steps one might take towards achieving it. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on Vedānta, emphasized the importance of controlling the senses (represented by the horses) and calming the restless mind (the leaping creatures) to achieve inner peace and unity with the ultimate reality. This verse, therefore, serves as a reminder of the importance of self-discipline and the pursuit of wisdom in everyday life. It symbolizes the journey towards self-discovery and harmony with the universe, reflecting the ideals of Neo-Vedānta, which seeks to apply ancient wisdom to contemporary challenges, promoting a holistic and balanced approach to living.