Shloka 38

Sṛṣṭi-krama: Brahmā’s Sequential Creation of Devas, Sages, and Sense-Presiding Powers

Devanagari script

अग्निं विनिर्ममे ब्रह्मात्वगिन्द्रियतः प्रभुः / अतो वागभिमानी सं पञ्चवर्षादनन्तरम्

Transliteration

agniṃ vinirmame brahmātvagindriyataḥ prabhuḥ / ato vāgabhimānī saṃ pañcavarṣādanantaram

Translation

Aus dem Sinnesorgan des Tastsinns formte der Herr Brahmā Agni, das heilige Feuer; und danach, zur rechten Zeit, offenbarte sich fünf Jahre später die herrschende Macht der Rede (Vācā).

Word by Word

अग्निम्Agni (fire-deity)

विनिर्ममेcreated

ब्रह्माBrahmā

त्वक्-इन्द्रियतःfrom the sense-organ of touch (skin)

प्रभुःthe Lord (the powerful one)

अतःthen/thereafter; therefore

वाक्-अभिमानीthe presiding deity of speech

सःhe

पञ्च-वर्षात्after five years

अनन्तरम्thereafter

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Sṛṣṭi-krama: elements and presiding deities arise from subtle faculties; fire is linked with touch and speech-principle follows in sequence.

Vedantic Theme: Adhyāropa-apavāda style cosmology: mapping of indriya–tanmātra–bhūta and devatā-abhi-māna to show the dependent, constructed nature of the manifest.

Application: Use the indriya–devatā mapping for sense-restraint and meditation: contemplate speech as a governed power and cultivate disciplined vāṇī (truthful, measured speech).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.13 (sṛṣṭi-krama sequence around indriyas, devatās, and prajāpatis)

Characters & Entities

Brahma

Agni

Vāk (speech principle)

FAQs

What does this verse teach about Agni’s origin in the Garuda Purana?

It states that Agni (fire) is manifested by Brahmā from the principle connected with the sense of touch, showing a subtle-to-gross progression in creation.

Who is the “vāk-abhimānī” mentioned here?

It refers to the presiding power/deity of speech—the governing principle that “identifies with” and regulates vāk (speech) in the cosmic order.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat speech as sacred and governed by a higher order—practice truthful, restrained, and purposeful speech, and recognize sensory discipline as foundational to inner clarity.