tataḥ śvetebhyo rukmavarṇebhyo indrāyudhavat-prabhām.
“Then from the white horses with golden ornaments, (he saw) a brilliant light like that of Indra's bow.”
Structure
tataḥ śvetebhyo rukmavarṇebhyo indrāyudha-vat prabhām
tataḥ (then) śvetebhyo (from white ones) rukmavarṇebhyo (shining golden) indrāyudha-vat (like Indra's weapon) prabhām (splendor)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tataḥ | tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śvetebhyo | śvetebhyo | noun | dative/ablative · plural · masculine | from the white ones |
| rukmavarṇebhyo | rukmavarṇebhyo | noun | dative/ablative · plural · masculine | from the golden-colored ones |
| indrāyudha | indrāyudha | compound | karmadhāraya · "indrāyudhaṃ" | like Indra's weapon |
| vat | vat | indeclinable | — | like, as |
| prabhām | prabhām | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | splendor, radiance |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Mahābhārata, 'tataḥ śvetebhyo rukmavarṇebhyo indrāyudha-vat prabhām', symbolizes the illumination of the Self. The white horses represent the purified mind, adorned with the golden ornaments of wisdom. The brilliant light akin to Indra's bow signifies the effulgent Brahman, which is the ultimate reality. According to Shankara, this effulgence points to the identity of the individual self (ātman) with the universal Self (Brahman). In his commentary on the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, Shankara explains that the realization of this identity is the ultimate goal of the spiritual journey. This verse, thus, highlights the non-dual nature of reality, where the distinctions between the individual and the universal dissolve, revealing the singular, unchanging essence of existence.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The verse 'tataḥ śvetebhyo rukmavarṇebhyo indrāyudha-vat prabhām' is seen as a manifestation of the divine grace in the Vaiṣṇava tradition. The white horses, symbolizing purity and detachment, are adorned with golden ornaments, representing the divine attributes. The brilliant light, comparable to Indra's bow, signifies the radiant presence of the Supreme Lord. Rāmānujācārya, in his Sri Bhashya, emphasizes the importance of devotion and self-surrender to realize this divine presence. He interprets such verses as indicative of the Lord's omnipresence and the jīva's (individual soul's) inherent dependence on Īśvara (the Lord). The relationship between the jīva and Īśvara is one of loving devotion and dependence, where the jīva seeks to realize its true nature as a servant of the Lord, thereby achieving liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Mahābhārata, would likely interpret this verse as a call to spiritual awakening. The image of the white horses with golden ornaments and the brilliant light symbolizes the potential for human transformation. The white horses represent the purified and controlled mind, while the golden ornaments signify the cultivation of virtues and wisdom. The brilliant light, akin to Indra's bow, is the symbol of the inner light of knowledge, guiding us towards our true potential. This verse, thus, has a universal and practical application, encouraging individuals to strive for self-realization and spiritual growth. In contemporary life, this message translates into the pursuit of personal excellence, ethical living, and the realization of one's inner strength and potential, as echoed in the writings of S. Radhakrishnan, who emphasized the importance of integrating spiritual values into daily life for global harmony and peace.