Tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamēbhyāḥ sahasraśaḥ prādurabhūt tamaḥ ।
“Then from the white monkeys appeared a huge darkness.”
Structure
Tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamēbhyāḥ sahasraśaḥ prādurabhūt tamaḥ
Tataḥ (then) śvetebhyaḥ (from the white ones) plavaṅgamēbhyāḥ (from the leaping ones) sahasraśaḥ (thousands of) tamaḥ (darkness) prādurabhūt (came into existence)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tataḥ | Tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śvetebhyaḥ | śvetebhyaḥ | noun | ablative · plural · masculine | from the white ones |
| plavaṅgamēbhyāḥ | plavaṅgamēbhyāḥ | noun | ablative · plural · masculine | from the leaping ones |
| sahasraśaḥ | sahasraśaḥ | indeclinable | — | in thousands |
| prādurabhūt | prādurabhūt | verb | √bhū · past · third | appeared, arose |
| tamaḥ | tamaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | darkness |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, 'tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamēbhyāḥ sahasraśaḥ prādurabhūt tamaḥ', symbolizes the veil of ignorance (tamaḥ) that shrouds the true nature of the Self (ātman). According to Shankara, the white monkeys represent the pure, untainted aspect of the mind, while the darkness signifies the obscuration of this purity due to ignorance. This verse can be seen as an allegory for the non-dual (advaita) reality, where the distinctions between subject and object, or self and other, are transcended. Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras (particularly 1.1.1) clarifies that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond all duality and that the individual self (jiva) is ultimately one with Brahman. Thus, this verse from the Mahabharata points towards the ultimate goal of realizing this brahman-ātman identity, where all distinctions, including the one between ignorance and knowledge, are dissolved.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse can be interpreted as an illustration of the relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Lord). The emergence of darkness from the white monkeys may symbolize the fall of the jīva into the realm of ignorance, away from the divine light of Īśvara. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, emphasizes the concept of 'aprthak-siddhi', which posits that the world and the individual souls are real but dependent on Brahman. Here, the darkness represents the real but dependent nature of ignorance, from which the jīva must be rescued by Īśvara's grace. This verse, thus, underscores the devotional path, where the jīva, recognizing its ignorance and limitation, seeks refuge in Īśvara, exemplifying the loving relationship between the devotee and the Divine.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekananda, in the context of modern Vedanta, would likely interpret this verse as a call to introspection and self-realization. The darkness emerging from the white monkeys can be seen as a metaphor for the inner struggle between light (knowledge) and darkness (ignorance) within every individual. Vivekananda, in his lectures and writings, such as 'The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda', often emphasized the importance of recognizing and overcoming one's inner darkness to reach the true, enlightened state of the Self. This verse, from a practical standpoint, invites the reader to reflect on their own life, to acknowledge the areas of darkness or ignorance, and to strive for enlightenment through self-effort and the realization of one's true, divine nature, echoing Vivekananda's message of the potential for human greatness and the universal brotherhood of all souls.