Shloka 38
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
Sebagaimana laba-laba mengeluarkan jaring dari hatinya dan memancarkannya lewat mulut, demikian pula Bhagavān, Pribadi Tertinggi, dari langit-hati-Nya memanifestasikan prāṇa purba yang bergema melalui pikiran sebagai bunyi-bunyi sentuhan (sparśa); ia penuh dengan metrum Veda dan berisi kenikmatan rohani yang amerta.
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
This verse explains that from ether (ākāśa) arises prāṇa, which becomes audible sound, and the mind shapes it through ‘touch’—the articulatory contact that forms speech.
To show that manifested expression (like sound/speech) can emerge from within a source itself—like the spider producing a web from its own being—illustrating emanation in creation.
It encourages mindful speech: since sound is shaped by the mind, purifying intention and attention refines one’s words and their impact.