Shloka 23
Vāc–Manas Saṃvāda: Prāṇa-Apāna and the Primacy Debate (वाक्–मनस् संवादः)
दिव्यादिव्यप्र भावेण भारती गौ: शुचिस्मिते । एतयोरन्तरं पश्य सूक्ष्मयो: स्यन्दमानयो:,शुचिस्मिते! घोषयुक्त (वैदिक) वाणी भी उत्तम गुणोंसे सुशोभित होती है। वह दूध देनेवाली गायकी भाँति मनुष्योंके लिये सदा उत्तम रस झरती एवं मनोवांछित पदार्थ उत्पन्न करती है और ब्रह्मका प्रतिपादन करनेवाली उपनिषद्वाणी (शाश्वत ब्रह्म)-का बोध करानेवाली है। इस प्रकार वाणीरूपी गौ दिव्य और अदिव्य प्रभावसे युक्त है। दोनों ही सूक्ष्म हैं और अभीष्ट पदार्थका प्रस्रव करने-वाली हैं। इन दोनोंमें क्या अन्तर है, इसको स्वयं देखो
divyādivyaprabhāveṇa bhāratī gauḥ śucismite | etayor antaraṃ paśya sūkṣmayoḥ syandamānayoḥ ||
The Brahmin said: “O fair-smiling one, Bhāratī—speech—like a milk-giving cow, is endowed with both divine and non-divine efficacy. Now discern for yourself the difference between these two, for both are subtle and both stream forth the desired results.”
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Speech (bhāratī) can operate on two levels—divine (leading toward Brahman/ultimate truth) and non-divine (producing worldly, practical results). Though both are subtle and ‘flow’ with efficacy, one should discern their distinction and choose the higher orientation.
A Brahmin addresses a woman (śucismitā) and uses the image of speech as a milk-giving cow. He points out that speech has both sacred and worldly potency and urges her to perceive the difference between these two subtle, result-yielding modes.