Tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamebhyaḥ śaṅkhān ninādayat sahasraśaḥ。
“Then he loudly blew thousands of conches at the white-faced monkeys.”
Structure
Tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamebhyaḥ śaṅkhān sahasraśaḥ ninādayat
Tataḥ (then) śvetebhyaḥ (from the white) plavaṅgamebhyaḥ (to the monkeys) sahasraśaḥ (thousand) śaṅkhān (conchs) ninādayat (made resound)
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 | to the frogs |
| śaṅkhān | śaṅkhān | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | conchs |
| sahasraśaḥ | sahasraśaḥ | indeclinable | — | a thousand at a time |
| ninādayat | ninādayat | verb | √nāday · past · third | he caused to sound |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In this verse, the action of blowing conches at the white-faced monkeys can be seen as a metaphor for the ultimate reality. Shankara, in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, interprets such symbolic actions as pointing towards the non-dual nature of reality, where the distinctions between the seer, the seen, and the act of seeing are transcended. The loud blowing of conches signifies the shattering of ignorance (avidyā), revealing the true nature of the self (ātman) as identical with the ultimate reality (brahman). The thousands of conches may represent the multitude of individual selves, which, upon realizing their true nature, become one with the universal consciousness. This verse thus underscores the Advaita Vedānta's central theme of brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self (jīva) is ultimately not separate from the supreme reality (brahman).
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse in the context of the loving relationship between the Lord (Īśvara) and the individual soul (jīva). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, stresses the importance of devotion (bhakti) as a means to realize one's true nature and relationship with the divine. The blowing of conches can be seen as a call to devotion, a summons for the jīva to turn towards Īśvara. The white-faced monkeys, symbolizing the jīvas, are beckoned towards their true nature, which is to be in loving service to the Lord. This understanding reflects the Vaiṣṇava emphasis on the path of devotion as the means to achieve liberation (mokṣa) and realize the eternal relationship between the individual self and the supreme Lord.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekananda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the practical and universal aspects of Vedāntic teachings. He might interpret the blowing of conches as a call to awaken the inner potential of the individual. The conches symbolize the powerful call of the divine within each person, urging them to realize their true nature and capabilities. The white-faced monkeys, representing the masses, are summoned to rise above their mundane concerns and seek spiritual enlightenment. Vivekananda's message of service to humanity, encapsulated in his concept of 'practical Vedānta,' encourages individuals to actively engage in the betterment of society while striving for their own spiritual growth. This verse, in the context of modern life, reminds us of the importance of seeking our true nature and contributing positively to the world, echoing the universal and practical ideals of Neo-Vedānta.