Shloka 39
Dharma, Purity, and the Inner Purpose of the Vedas
Karma-kāṇḍa Reoriented to Bhakti
यथोर्णनाभिर्हृदयादूर्णामुद्वमते मुखात् । आकाशाद् घोषवान् प्राणो मनसा स्पर्शरूपिणा ॥ ३८ ॥ छन्दोमयोऽमृतमय: सहस्रपदवीं प्रभु: । ओङ्काराद् व्यञ्जितस्पर्शस्वरोष्मान्त स्थभूषिताम् ॥ ३९ ॥ विचित्रभाषाविततां छन्दोभिश्चतुरुत्तरै: । अनन्तपारां बृहतीं सृजत्याक्षिपते स्वयम् ॥ ४० ॥
yathorṇanābhir hṛdayād ūrṇām udvamate mukhāt ākāśād ghoṣavān prāṇo manasā sparśa-rūpiṇā
El Señor, hecho de metros sagrados y lleno de amṛta, despliega el sonido védico en miles de sendas, adornado con las letras manifestadas desde el Oṁkāra: consonantes, vocales, sibilantes y semivocales.
Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī has given an elaborate technical explanation of these three verses, the understanding of which requires extensive linguistic knowledge of the Sanskrit language. The essential point is that transcendental knowledge is expressed through Vedic sound vibration, which is itself a manifestation of the Absolute Truth, the Personality of Godhead. Vedic sound emanates from the Supreme Lord and is vibrated to glorify and understand Him. The conclusion of all Vedic sound vibration is found in Bhagavad-gītā, wherein the Lord states, vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyaḥ: all Vedic knowledge is simply meant to teach us to know and love God. One who always thinks of Lord Kṛṣṇa, who becomes the Lord’s devotee and who bows down to and worships the Lord with faith and devotion, chanting His holy name, has certainly achieved a perfect understanding of all that is indicated by the word veda (“knowledge”).
FAQs
In 11.21.39, Śukadeva explains that sacred speech—structured as Vedic meters and phonetic categories—manifests from the Supreme Lord, beginning with Oṅkāra (praṇava).
He is showing that even the building blocks of language and Vedic recitation are divine energies—meant to lead the listener from sound (śabda) to the Lord who is its source.
Approach mantra, kīrtana, and scriptural study with reverence—seeing sacred sound as a direct means to purify consciousness and remember the Supreme.