Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 15
Śravaṇa-Mahātmya: The Śravaṇas, Cosmic Testimony, and the Paths of the Puruṣārthas
दूराच्छ्रवणविज्ञानं दूराद्दर्शनगोचरम् / सर्वे शृण्वन्ति यत्पक्षिंस्तेनैव श्रवणा मताः
dūrācchravaṇavijñānaṃ dūrāddarśanagocaram / sarve śṛṇvanti yatpakṣiṃstenaiva śravaṇā matāḥ
On le connaît par l’ouïe même de loin, et ce n’est qu’en s’approchant qu’il entre dans le champ de la vue. Puisque tous entendent cet oiseau, on les tient pour des « Śravaṇā », ceux de l’écoute.
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)
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.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: aerial vantage
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: motif of recorders/messengers known by signs rather than sight (general parallel)
FAQs
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.
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.
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.