tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamebhyaḥ sagaraḥ paryavartata । sa hi tān dṛṣṭvā mahatā vadhaḥ śastrēṇa kalpatām ॥ 1 ।
“Then Sagar turned towards the white and leaping monkeys; having seen them, he thought that it would be fitting for a great warrior like him to kill them with his weapons.”
Structure
tataḥ śvetebhyaḥ plavaṅgamebhyaḥ sagaraḥ paryavartata sa hi tān dṛṣṭvā mahatā vadhaḥ śastrēṇa kalpatām
sagaraḥ (Sagara) tataḥ (then) śvetebhyaḥ (white) plavaṅgamebhyaḥ ( monkeys) paryavartata (looked around) sa (he) hi (indeed) tān (those) dṛṣṭvā (having seen) mahatā (great) vadhaḥ (killing) śastrēṇa (with a weapon) kalpatām (seemed fit)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tataḥ | tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śvetebhyaḥ | śvetebhyaḥ | noun | dative/ablative · plural · masculine | from the white (horses) |
| plavaṅgamebhyaḥ | plavaṅgamebhyaḥ | noun | dative/ablative · plural · masculine | to the leaping ones (horses) |
| sagaraḥ | sagaraḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Sagara |
| paryavartata | paryavartata | verb | √vart · past · third | turned back, returned |
| sa | sa | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | he |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | indeed, surely |
| tān | tān | pronoun | accusative · plural · masculine | them |
| dṛṣṭvā | dṛṣṭvā | indeclinable | — | having seen |
| mahatā | mahatā | noun | instrumental · singular · masculine | by the great one (Sagara) |
| vadhaḥ | vadhaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | slaying, killing |
| śastrēṇa | śastrēṇa | noun | instrumental · singular · neuter | with a weapon |
| kalpatām | kalpatām | verb | √kṛ · optative · third | may it be, let it be |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, on the surface, appears to describe a violent encounter between Sagar and the monkeys. However, upon closer examination, it reveals deeper philosophical truths. The 'white and leaping monkeys' can be seen as symbolic of the fluctuations of the mind, which a seeker of truth must learn to transcend. Sagar, representing the individual self, must confront and overcome these mental agitations to realize the ultimate reality. As Śaṅkarācārya explains in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, the ultimate goal is to understand the non-dual nature of Brahman and Ātman. This verse illustrates the necessity for the individual to turn inward, conquering the distractions of the mind, to achieve this understanding. The 'great warrior' Sagar, with his weapons, signifies the discriminating intellect that must be sharpened to distinguish between the real and the unreal, leading to the realization of the non-dual truth.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In this verse, Sagar's actions towards the monkeys can be interpreted as a metaphor for the relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Lord). The 'white and leaping monkeys' may represent the devotees or the seekers of truth who are energetic and pure in their quest. Sagar, emblematic of the divine or the higher self, approaches these seekers with the intent to guide them towards their spiritual goal. The 'great warrior' with 'weapons' symbolizes the divine grace that equips the devotee with the necessary spiritual tools to overcome inner and outer challenges. Rāmānujācārya would likely view this as an illustration of the Lord's mercy towards His devotees, providing them with the means to achieve liberation. This interpretation underscores the personal relationship between the jīva and Īśvara, central to Vaiṣṇava theology, where the Lord actively guides and supports the devotee on their spiritual journey.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse can be seen as a call to inner strength and self-mastery in the face of life's challenges. The 'white and leaping monkeys' symbolize the restless and often contradictory inclinations of the human mind. Sagar, the 'great warrior,' represents the ideal of the strong and disciplined individual who can harness these energies constructively. Swami Vivekananda, in his lectures on the Bhagavad Gita, emphasizes the importance of self-control and the cultivation of inner peace amidst turmoil. This verse, in the context of Neo-Vedānta, encourages the individual to develop a strong and focused mind, capable of navigating life's complexities with equanimity. It advocates for a balanced approach to life, where one's energies are channeled towards personal growth and the betterment of society, reflecting Vivekananda's vision of a spiritually awakened and socially responsible individual.