Tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamebhyaḥ sagaraḥ pṛthīvīṁ vibhājyaṣva । Etāṁstāṁ ca rājñaḥ śvetān plavaṅgāmśca sarvataḥ.
“Then Sagar divided the land on all sides among the white and the jumping (or flying) creatures.”
Structure
Tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamebhyaḥ sagaraḥ pṛthīvīṁ vibhājyaṣva Etāṁ tāṁ ca rājñaḥ śvetān plavaṅgāmśca sarvataḥ
Sagaraḥ (Sagara) tataḥ (then) śvetebhyaḥ (from the white ones) plavaṅgamebhyaḥ (to the jumping ones) pṛthīvīṁ (the earth) vibhājyaṣva (divide) Etāṁ (this) tāṁ (that) ca (and) rājñaḥ (of the king) śvetān (white ones) plavaṅgāmśca (jumping ones) sarvataḥ (on all sides)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tataḥ | Tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śvetebhyaḥ | śvetebhyaḥ | noun | dative/ablative · plural · masculine | to/from the white ones (horses) |
| plavaṅgamebhyaḥ | plavaṅgamebhyaḥ | noun | dative/ablative · plural · masculine | to/from the jumping ones (monkeys) |
| sagaraḥ | Sagaraḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Sagara (the king) |
| pṛthīvīṁ | pṛthīvīm | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | the earth |
| vibhājyaṣva | vibhājyaṣva | verb | √bhañj · optative · second | may you divide, apportion |
| Etāṁ | Etāṁ | pronoun | accusative · singular · feminine | this (earth) |
| tāṁ | tāṁ | pronoun | accusative · singular · feminine | that (earth), or her (referring back to pṛthīvīṁ) |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| rājñaḥ | rājñaḥ | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of the king |
| śvetān | śvetān | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | the white ones (horses) |
| plavaṅgāmśca | plavaṅgāmśca | compound | dvandva · "plavaṅgān ca" | and the jumping ones (monkeys) |
| sarvataḥ | sarvataḥ | indeclinable | — | on all sides, entirely |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In this verse, Sagar's division of the land among the white and jumping creatures can be seen as an allegory for the illusory distinctions in the world. According to Shankara, the ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond all dualities and distinctions. The 'white' and 'jumping' creatures may represent the varying forms of life, yet, as Shankara notes in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, all these forms are ultimately rooted in the same Brahman. This verse thus points to the non-dual nature of reality, where all distinctions are transcended, and the identity of Brahman and Ātman is revealed. Shankara's reasoning in the Taittiriya Upanishad commentary, where he discusses the five sheaths, is also relevant here, as it underscores the idea that the true Self is beyond all physical and mental attributes, much like the land itself is beyond the creatures that inhabit it.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): Rāmānujācārya's commentary on the Mahābhārata would likely view this verse as an example of the Lord's (Īśvara) providence and care for all creatures. The division of the land by Sagar can be seen as an act of grace, where the Lord, through his representative, ensures the well-being and sustenance of all beings. This verse highlights the relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara, where the jīva is completely dependent on Īśvara for everything. In this context, Madhvācārya might emphasize the concept of 'bheda' or difference between the Lord and his creatures, underscoring that even in the midst of distribution and allocation, the Lord's sovereignty and the dependency of the jīvas are maintained. This perspective encourages a devotional reading, where the focus is on the loving and generous nature of the Lord towards all his creatures.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda might interpret this verse as a call to universal harmony and balance. The distribution of land among different creatures suggests the importance of coexistence and mutual respect. Vivekānanda, in his lectures on Practical Vedānta, often emphasized the need for humans to recognize their place within the larger web of life, respecting and caring for all other beings. Similarly, S. Radhakrishnan, in his writings on the Mahābhārata, might highlight the symbolic meaning of the 'white' and 'jumping' creatures, representing the various aspects of human nature and the need for integration and balance within the individual and society. This verse can be seen as a reminder of our responsibility towards the natural world and all its inhabitants, encouraging a sense of unity, cooperation, and stewardship in our contemporary lives.