tataḥ śveto vṛṣabho 'tha tasyāṃ tu payasāṃ udbhavaḥ .
“Then from her a white bull arose, born from her milk.”
Structure
tataḥ śveto vṛṣabho atha tasyāṃ tu payasāṃ udbhavaḥ
tataḥ (then) śveto (white) vṛṣabho (bull) atha (then) tasyāṃ (from her) tu (indeed) payasāṃ (of milk) udbhavaḥ (origin)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tataḥ | tataḥ | indeclinable | — | then, thereafter |
| śveto | śveto | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | white one, bull |
| vṛṣabho | vṛṣabho | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | bull |
| atha | atha | indeclinable | — | then, in that case |
| tasyāṃ | tasyāṃ | pronoun | locative · singular · feminine | in her, referring to earth or similar feminine noun |
| tu | tu | indeclinable | — | indeed, however |
| payasāṃ | payasāṃ | noun | genitive · plural · neuter | of milk or similar liquids |
| udbhavaḥ | udbhavaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | origin, birth |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse illustrates the non-dual nature of reality, where the distinction between subject and object dissolves. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sūtras, explains that the world is a manifestation of Brahman, much like the bull arising from the milk. The bull, symbolizing the universe, and the milk, representing the ultimate reality, are not separate entities but interconnected aspects of the same reality. This verse points to the brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self (ātman) is ultimately one with the universal reality (Brahman). By realizing this non-dual nature, one can transcend the limitations of the material world and attain liberation. As Shankara notes, the world is 'māyā,' an illusion that veils the true nature of reality, and verses like this one serve as reminders of the ultimate unity of existence.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as an illustration of the relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the concept of 'prapatti,' or surrender, where the individual soul surrenders to the will of the Lord. The bull, born from the milk, represents the jīva, which is nourished and sustained by the grace of Īśvara. This verse highlights the dependence of the jīva on Īśvara and the importance of devotion and surrender in achieving spiritual liberation. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, would interpret this verse as an example of the 'tattva-viveka,' or the distinction between the real and the unreal, where the bull represents the real, eternal essence of the self, and the milk represents the unreal, fleeting nature of the material world.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a powerful metaphor for the human condition and our place in the world. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lecture 'The Real and the Apparent,' notes that the bull, arising from the milk, represents the process of evolution, where the individual emerges from the universal. This verse reminds us that we are not separate from the world around us but are intimately connected to it. The bull, symbolizing strength and vitality, represents the human potential, which can be realized by tapping into the universal energy that sustains us. As Rādhākrishnan notes, 'The individual is not a mere fragment of the universe, but a focal point of the universal consciousness.' This verse encourages us to recognize our interconnectedness with the world and to strive for a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the grand scheme of existence.