tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamebhyaḥ sagaṇān niśācarān .
“Then to the white monkeys with troops and night-rangers.”
Structure
tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamebhyaḥ sa-gaṇān niśācarān
tataḥ (then) śvetebhyaḥ (from the white ones) plavaṅgamebhyaḥ (to the jumping ones) sa-gaṇān (with their troops) niśācarān (the night-rulers)
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 | from the leaping ones |
| sa | sa | indeclinable | — | with |
| gaṇān | gaṇān | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | groups |
| niśācarān | niśācarān | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | night-runners, robbers |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamebhyaḥ sagaṇān niśācarān, when understood within the non-dual framework, points to the ultimate reality beyond the distinctions of subject and object, or in this case, the observer and the observed white monkeys. According to Shankara's reasoning in his Brahmasutra Bhashya (particularly in the discussion on the nature of Brahman in the first chapter), such distinctions are illusory (mithyā) and veil the true nature of Brahman-ātman. The 'white monkeys' can be seen as symbols of the sattvic (pure) aspects of human nature, which, like the night-rangers, operate under the cover of ignorance (avidyā), highlighting the need to transcend these limited identifications to realize the non-dual truth.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is illuminated by the concept of the Lord's variegated creation, emphasizing the relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya, discussing the concept of prapatti or surrender, might interpret the 'white monkeys with troops and night-rangers' as illustrations of the diverse creatures under the care of the Lord, indicating the jīva's dependency on Īśvara for liberation. The white color signifies purity, suggesting the potential for spiritual growth and the importance of seeking refuge in the Lord, echoing the Vaiṣṇava emphasis on bhakti (devotion) as the path to mokṣa (liberation).
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekananda, in his lectures on 'The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda', often emphasized the universal principles underlying Vedantic teachings, applicable to contemporary life. This verse, with its imagery of white monkeys and night-rangers, can be seen as a metaphor for the human condition, navigating through life with a mixture of purity and darkness. Vivekananda might interpret the white monkeys as symbolic of the higher, nobler aspects of human nature striving for enlightenment, while the night-rangers represent the darker, unconscious aspects that need to be acknowledged and transcended. This perspective encourages individuals to recognize their own inner struggles and strive for self-realization, echoing Vivekananda's message of practical Vedanta, where spirituality is not merely a philosophical pursuit but a lived experience.