tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamebhyaḥ niṣīdy visrasta-jaṭādharah
“Then, taking a seat on the white-footed monkeys, he let his matted locks fall down.”
Structure
tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamebhyaḥ niṣīdy visrasta-jaṭādharah
tataḥ (then) śvetebhyaḥ (from the white monkeys) plavaṅgamebhyaḥ (to the jumping ones) niṣīdy (sitting down) visrasta-jaṭādharah (with loosened matted hair)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tataḥ | tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śvetebhyaḥ | śvetebhyaḥ | noun | dative/ablative · plural · masculine | from the white monkeys |
| plavaṅgamebhyaḥ | plavaṅgamebhyaḥ | noun | dative/ablative · plural · masculine | from the jumping ones (monkeys) |
| niṣīdy | niṣīdy | verb | √sad · laṅ-past · first | sat down |
| visrasta-jaṭādharah | visrasta-jaṭādharah | compound | bahuvrīhi · "visrasta-jaṭa-ā-dharaḥ" | the one whose matted hair was loosened |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In this verse, tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamebhyaḥ niṣīdy visrasta-jaṭādharah, the description of taking a seat on the white-footed monkeys and letting matted locks fall down symbolizes the renunciation of worldly attachments and the recognition of one's true nature. Shankara's commentary on the Brahmasutras emphasizes the importance of understanding the identity of Brahman and Ātman, which is central to the non-dual (Advaita) philosophy. This verse from the Mahābhārata, by depicting a figure in a state of detachment and contemplation, hints at the inward journey necessary for realizing this identity. The act of letting the matted locks fall can be seen as a symbol of shedding external identities and focusing on the inner Self, aligning with Shankara's teachings on the path to Self-realization.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse in the context of devotion and the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, discusses the importance of prapatti, or self-surrender, to the Lord. This verse can be seen as a depiction of such surrender, where the individual, having renounced worldly attachments (symbolized by sitting on the white-footed monkeys and letting the matted locks fall), seeks refuge in the divine. The white-footed monkeys may symbolize the divine messengers or the pure aspects of one's own nature that assist in this surrender. This act of surrender and devotion is a key aspect of the Vaiṣṇava path to liberation, emphasizing the personal relationship between the devotee and the Lord.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse, tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamebhyaḥ niṣīdy visrasta-jaṭādharah, offers a profound message relevant to contemporary life, as interpreted through the lens of Neo-Vedānta. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, emphasized the importance of realizing one's inner strength and the universal principles that unite humanity. This act of sitting amidst nature (the white-footed monkeys) and letting go of external symbols (the matted locks) can be seen as a metaphor for embracing simplicity, naturalness, and the universal consciousness that underlies all existence. It encourages individuals to move beyond external identities and ego-bound limitations, aligning with the principles of unity and self-realization that Vivekānanda and Radhakrishnan advocated. This verse, therefore, serves as a call to a more authentic, simple, and spiritually awakened way of living, resonating with the universal and practical teachings of Neo-Vedānta.