Shloka 76
Multi-form Manifestations, Indra–Kāma Incarnations, Pravāha, and the Twofold Buddhi
Sense-Discipline and Exclusive Refuge in Viṣṇu
श्रोत्रस्वभावो लोक वार्ताश्रुतौ च ह्यतीव मोदस्त्वादरास्वादनेन / हरेर्वार्ताश्रवणे दुः खजालं श्रोत्रस्वभावो जडता दमश्च
śrotrasvabhāvo loka vārtāśrutau ca hyatīva modastvādarāsvādanena / harervārtāśravaṇe duḥ khajālaṃ śrotrasvabhāvo jaḍatā damaśca
The ear, by its very nature, greatly delights in hearing worldly gossip, tasting it with eager relish. But in listening to the sacred narrative of Hari it finds a net of “pain”; such is the ear’s habit—dullness and the need for restraint.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: The ear naturally craves prajalpa (worldly chatter), but must be trained to relish Hari-kathā; initial discomfort is a symptom of tamas and habit, remedied by dama and repeated śravaṇa.
Vedantic Theme: Indriya-nigraha and saṃskāra transformation: turning the mind from viṣaya-śabda to śabda-brahman oriented devotion; purification of antaḥkaraṇa through śravaṇa.
Application: Reduce gossip intake; schedule daily Hari-kathā/Viṣṇu-nāma listening; practice ‘replacement’ (substitute sacred listening for idle talk) and observe resistance without yielding.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.28.77-80 (continuation on eyes, sex-impulse, shame, taste/food discipline)
FAQs
This verse highlights that hearing naturally runs toward worldly talk; therefore restraint (dama) is required to turn hearing toward Hari-kathā, which purifies rather than distracts.
Because an untrained ear, habituated to gossip and sensual interest, experiences spiritual discourse as burdensome; the ‘duḥkha’ points to resistance born of dullness (jaḍatā), not a fault in Hari-kathā.
Reduce time spent on gossip/negative media, schedule daily listening/reading of Vishnu-kathā, and practice conscious “hearing discipline” by choosing uplifting speech and sacred recitation.