Shloka 36
The Universal Form (Virāṭ-Puruṣa): The Lord’s Entry into the Elements, the Devas, and the Origin of Varṇāśrama
तथापि कीर्तयाम्यङ्ग यथामति यथाश्रुतम् । कीर्तिं हरे: स्वां सत्कर्तुं गिरमन्याभिधासतीम् ॥ ३६ ॥
tathāpi kīrtayāmy aṅga yathā-mati yathā-śrutam kīrtiṁ hareḥ svāṁ sat-kartuṁ giram anyābhidhāsatīm
Even so, dear one, as far as I have heard and as far as my mind can grasp, I now speak with pure words to glorify Śrī Hari; otherwise my power of speech would remain unchaste.
The purification of the conditioned soul necessitates purification of his consciousness. By the presence of consciousness, the presence of the transcendental soul is verified, and as soon as consciousness leaves the body, the material body is not active. Consciousness is perceived, therefore, by activities. The theory put forward by empiric philosophers that consciousness can remain in an inactive state is the proof of their poor fund of knowledge. One should not become unchaste by stopping the activities of pure consciousness. If the activities of pure consciousness are stopped, certainly the conscious living force will be otherwise engaged because unless engaged the consciousness has no standing. Consciousness cannot be silent, even for a moment. When the body does not act, the consciousness acts in the form of dreams. Unconsciousness is artificial; by induced extraneous help it remains for a limited period, but when the intoxication of the drug is finished or when one is awake, the consciousness again acts earnestly.
FAQs
This verse shows that speaking the Lord’s glories is purifying and makes one’s speech auspicious—even if one feels personally unqualified—when it follows what is heard from genuine sources.
He expresses humility and also establishes that his description is grounded in śruti/paramparā (what he has heard), while presented according to his capacity for the benefit of the listener.
Practice regular śravaṇa and kīrtana—learn from authentic teachings, then speak or share the Lord’s glories with sincerity; this gradually purifies everyday speech from mundane talk.