tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamebhyāḥ śataśaḥ prāṇa hatāhatāḥ
“Then monkeys by hundreds were being killed, some with their lives lost and others wounded.”
Structure
tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamebhyāḥ śataśaḥ prāṇā hatāhatāḥ
tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ (then from the white ones) plavaṅgamebhyāḥ (to the jumping ones) śataśaḥ (hundreds) prāṇān (living beings) hatāhatāḥ (killed and not killed)
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 |
| plavaṅgamebhyāḥ | plavaṅgamebhyāḥ | noun | dative/ablative · plural · masculine | from the leaping ones |
| śataśaḥ | śataśaḥ | indeclinable | — | hundreds of times, again and again |
| prāṇā | prāṇā | noun | nominative/accusative · plural · masculine | creatures, beings |
| hatāhatāḥ | hatāhatāḥ | verb | √han · past participle · third | were killed |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamebhyāḥ śataśaḥ prāṇā hatāhatāḥ, underscores the impermanence of life forms. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the non-dual nature of reality (Brahman) and the transient nature of the world. Here, the monkeys (representing the jīvas) are caught in the cycle of suffering and death, illustrating the concept of samsāra. This suffering arises from ignorance of the true Self (ātman), which is ultimately one with Brahman. Recognizing this oneness, as stated in the Upaniṣads, leads to liberation from the cycle of birth and death. This verse thus points to the significance of realizing the brahman-ātman identity to transcend worldly suffering.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The killing of monkeys in this verse symbolizes the struggle between good and evil, where the forces of dharma must confront and overcome adharma. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Mahābhārata, highlights the role of divine intervention in guiding the course of events, emphasizing the grace of Īśvara in rescuing the devotees. The monkeys, as devotees of Rāma, symbolize the jīvas who, despite their efforts, remain under the protection of the Lord. The suffering and death of some monkeys illustrate the concept of pralaya, where the universe and its beings are subject to cycles of creation and destruction. Yet, for the devotees, this is an opportunity to demonstrate their faith and surrender, ultimately leading to liberation through the mercy of Īśvara.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse has a profound message for contemporary life, as it highlights the inevitability of suffering and the importance of resilience and compassion. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures, often emphasized the need for humans to understand their true nature, beyond the ephemeral experiences of life. The suffering of the monkeys can be seen as a metaphor for human suffering, which arises from our identification with the external world rather than our inner, eternal essence. This verse, therefore, encourages a shift in perspective, where we recognize our interconnectedness and the universal principles that govern our lives, such as the laws of karma and the cycle of life and death. By adopting a broader, more compassionate view, we can transcend our limited, individual suffering and work towards a more harmonious and peaceful world.