Shloka 32

Sāṅkhya: Categories of the Absolute Truth and the Unfolding of Creation

Tattva-vicāra

Devanagari script

तामसाच्च विकुर्वाणाद्भगवद्वीर्यचोदितात् । शब्दमात्रमभूत्तस्मान्नभ: श्रोत्रं तु शब्दगम् ॥ ३२ ॥

Transliteration

tāmasāc ca vikurvāṇād bhagavad-vīrya-coditāt śabda-mātram abhūt tasmān nabhaḥ śrotraṁ tu śabdagam

Translation

When the ego in darkness (tamas) is stirred by the virya potency of Bhagavān, the subtle essence of sound manifests; from that sound arise ether (ākāśa) and the sense of hearing that apprehends sound.

Synonyms

• तामसात्: from the tamasic (principle/state)
• तामसात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तामस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/अपादान), एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• विकुर्वाणात्: from (that which is) transforming
• विकुर्वाणात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि√कृ (धातु) + विकुर्वाण (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (शतृ/शानच्), परस्मैपदी; पञ्चमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘विकुर्वत्/विकुर्वाण’ = transforming

• भगवत्-वीर्य-चोदितात्: from (that) impelled by the Lord’s power
• भगवत्-वीर्य-चोदितात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक) + वीर्य (प्रातिपदिक) + चोदित (कृदन्त)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; पञ्चमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘भगवतः वीर्येण चोदित’ = impelled by the Lord’s potency

• शब्द-मात्रम्: the mere sound (subtle element of sound)
• शब्द-मात्रम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शब्द (प्रातिपदिक) + मात्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), एकवचन

• अभूत्: arose / came into being
• अभूत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भू (धातु)
• Form: लुङ्-लकार (Aorist/अनद्यतनभूत), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदी

• तस्मात्: from that
• तस्मात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• नभः: ether / space
• नभः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नभस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन

• श्रोत्रम्: the ear (organ of hearing)
• श्रोत्रम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रोत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तु: indeed / and
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विरोध/विशेषार्थक-निपात (particle: but/indeed)

• शब्द-गम्: that which apprehends sound
• शब्द-गम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शब्द (प्रातिपदिक) + ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘शब्दं गच्छति/ग्राहयति’ = sound-reaching/sound-perceiving

Purport

It appears from this verse that all the objects of our sense gratification are the products of egoism in ignorance. It is understood from this verse that by agitation of the element of egoism in ignorance, the first thing produced was sound, which is the subtle form of ether. It is stated also in the Vedānta-sūtra that sound is the origin of all objects of material possession and that by sound one can also dissolve this material existence. Anāvṛttiḥ śabdāt means “liberation by sound.” The entire material manifestation began from sound, and sound can also end material entanglement, if it has a particular potency. The particular sound capable of doing this is the transcendental vibration Hare Kṛṣṇa. Our entanglement in material affairs has begun from material sound. Now we must purify that sound in spiritual understanding. There is sound in the spiritual world also. If we approach that sound, then our spiritual life begins, and the other requirements for spiritual advancement can be supplied. We have to understand very clearly that sound is the beginning of the creation of all material objects for our sense gratification. Similarly, if sound is purified, our spiritual necessities also are produced from sound.

Characters & Entities

• Kapila
• Devahuti
• Bhagavan (Supreme Lord)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the origin of sound and ether (ākāśa)?

This verse explains that when tamas is set into motion by the Lord’s potency, the subtle principle of sound arises first, and from sound ether (space) manifests, along with the sense of hearing whose object is sound.

Why does Lord Kapila describe creation through the modes of nature (guṇas) to Devahūti?

Kapila teaches Devahūti Sāṅkhya to help her understand how the material elements and senses evolve under the Lord’s direction, so she can cultivate detachment and devotion toward the Supreme.

Practical application of this teaching about sound in modern life?

Since sound is foundational and shapes consciousness, a devotee applies this by choosing elevating sound—especially nāma-saṅkīrtana (chanting the Lord’s names)—and avoiding degrading sound that strengthens ignorance.