Shloka 15

Devanagari script

दूराच्छ्रवणविज्ञानं दूराद्दर्शनगोचरम् / सर्वे शृण्वन्ति यत्पक्षिंस्तेनैव श्रवणा मताः

Transliteration

dūrācchravaṇavijñānaṃ dūrāddarśanagocaram / sarve śṛṇvanti yatpakṣiṃstenaiva śravaṇā matāḥ

Translation

It is known by hearing even from afar, and only when near does it come within the range of sight. Since everyone hears that bird, they are therefore called ‘Śravaṇā’—the hearing-ones.

Word by Word

• दूरात्: from afar
• दूरात्: Deshadhikarana/Source adverbial (स्थान/अपादानार्थ)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: दूर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पञ्चमी-एकवचनरूपेण क्रियाविशेषण (ablatival adverb)

• श्रवणविज्ञानम्: knowledge of hearing
• श्रवणविज्ञानम्: Karta/Predicate nominal (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रवण (प्रातिपदिक) + विज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (श्रवणस्य विज्ञानम्)

• दूरात्: from afar
• दूरात्: Deshadhikarana/Source adverbial (स्थान/अपादानार्थ)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: दूर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पञ्चमी-एकवचनरूपेण क्रियाविशेषण

• दर्शनगोचरम्: within the range of sight
• दर्शनगोचरम्: Karta/Predicate nominal (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दर्शन (प्रातिपदिक) + गोचर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (दर्शनस्य गोचरम्)

• सर्वे: all (of them)
• सर्वे: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• शृण्वन्ति: hear
• शृण्वन्ति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• यत्: which/that
• यत्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; सम्बन्धवाचक (relative)

• पक्षिन्: bird
• पक्षिन्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पक्षिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• तेन: therefore/by that
• तेन: Karana/Hetu (Instrument/Cause/करण/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• एव: indeed/just
• एव: Discourse particle (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक निपात (emphatic particle)

• श्रवणाः: hearers (by nature)
• श्रवणाः: Karta/Predicate nominal (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रवण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• मताः: are considered
• मताः: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मन् (धातु) (क्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: क्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगे विधेय

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Some realities are apprehended first by śruti (hearing) rather than direct sight; unseen agencies can be known by their effects.

Vedantic Theme: Pramāṇa reflection: śabda/śruti as a means of knowledge; the subtle precedes the gross in apprehension.

Application: Respect testimony and inference where direct perception is limited; cultivate inner listening and discernment.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: aerial vantage

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: motif of recorders/messengers known by signs rather than sight (general parallel)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Vishnu

FAQs

What is the importance of ‘hearing’ (śravaṇa) in this Garuda Purana verse?

The verse highlights that certain beings/signs are recognized first by sound—heard from a distance—while sight confirms only when they come closer, emphasizing śravaṇa as an early mode of knowing.

How does this verse relate to the Preta Kanda’s discussion of the post-death journey?

Preta Kanda often describes subtle, transitional conditions where perception may be indirect; this verse underscores that in such contexts, hearing can precede or outweigh visual certainty.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate discernment: do not rely only on what is immediately visible; verify information carefully, and treat early signals (reports, sounds, warnings) as prompts for mindful action rather than panic.