Shloka 37

Sāṅkhya: Categories of the Absolute Truth and the Unfolding of Creation

Tattva-vicāra

Devanagari script

चालनं व्यूहनं प्राप्तिर्नेतृत्वं द्रव्यशब्दयो: । सर्वेन्द्रियाणामात्मत्वं वायो: कर्माभिलक्षणम् ॥ ३७ ॥

Transliteration

cālanaṁ vyūhanaṁ prāptir netṛtvaṁ dravya-śabdayoḥ sarvendriyāṇām ātmatvaṁ vāyoḥ karmābhilakṣaṇam

Translation

កិច្ចការរបស់វាយុគឺបង្កើតចលនា ការលាយបញ្ចូល ឲ្យអាចចូលដល់វត្ថុនៃសំឡេង និងអារម្មណ៍អង្គញ្ញាណផ្សេងៗ ហើយជាគ្រឹះនាំឲ្យអង្គញ្ញាណទាំងអស់ដំណើរការត្រឹមត្រូវ។

Synonyms

• चालनम्: moving; motion
• चालनम्: Karma/Viśeṣya (कर्म/विशेष्य; listed function)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चालन (प्रातिपदिक; √चल धातु-निष्पन्न)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2 विभक्ति), एकवचन; भाववाचक-नाम (action-noun)

• व्यूहनम्: arranging; separating/ordering
• व्यूहनम्: Karma/Viśeṣya (कर्म/विशेष्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्यूहन (प्रातिपदिक; √व्यूह् धातु-निष्पन्न)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; भाववाचक-नाम

• प्राप्तिः: attainment; reaching
• प्राप्तिः: Karma/Viśeṣya (कर्म/विशेष्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्राप्ति (प्रातिपदिक; √आप्/√प्राप् धातु-निष्पन्न)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1 विभक्ति), एकवचन; भाववाचक-नाम

• नेतृत्वम्: leading; guidance
• नेतृत्वम्: Karma/Viśeṣya (कर्म/विशेष्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नेतृत्व (प्रातिपदिक; √नी धातु-निष्पन्न)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; भाववाचक-नाम

• द्रव्य-शब्दयोः: of substance and sound
• द्रव्य-शब्दयोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध; genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्रव्य (प्रातिपदिक) + शब्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6 विभक्ति), द्विवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (copulative)

• सर्व-इन्द्रियाणाम: of all the senses
• सर्व-इन्द्रियाणाम: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + इन्द्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6 विभक्ति), बहुवचन; कर्मधारय—‘सर्वाणि इन्द्रियाणि’

• आत्मत्वम्: being the self (inner principle)
• आत्मत्वम्: Karma/Viśeṣya (कर्म/विशेष्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मत्व (प्रातिपदिक; आत्मन् + त्व)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; भाववाचक-नाम (state of being self)

• वायोः: of air (vāyu)
• वायोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वायु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6 विभक्ति), एकवचन

• कर्म-अभिलक्षणम्: characterized by action
• कर्म-अभिलक्षणम्: Viśeṣaṇa/Predicate (विशेषण/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + अभिलक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष—‘कर्मणः अभिलक्षणम्’ (characteristic of action)

Purport

We can perceive the action of the air when the branches of a tree move or when dry leaves on the ground collect together. Similarly, it is only by the action of the air that a body moves, and when the air circulation is impeded, many diseases result. Paralysis, nervous breakdowns, madness and many other diseases are actually due to an insufficient circulation of air. In the Āyurvedic system these diseases are treated on the basis of air circulation. If from the beginning one takes care of the process of air circulation, such diseases cannot take place. From the Āyur-veda as well as from the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam it is clear that so many activities are going on internally and externally because of air alone, and as soon as there is some deficiency in the air circulation, these activities cannot take place. Here it is clearly stated, netṛtvaṁ dravya-śabdayoḥ. Our sense of proprietorship over action is also due to the activity of the air. If the air circulation is stifled, we cannot approach a place after hearing. If someone calls us, we hear the sound because of the air circulation, and we approach that sound or the place from which the sound comes. It is clearly said in this verse that these are all movements of the air. The ability to detect odors is also due to the action of the air.

Characters & Entities

• Kapila
• Devahuti

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the function of vāyu (air element)?

This verse states that air’s functions include movement, rearrangement, conveying things, carrying sound and tangible substance, and serving as the vital support of all the senses.

Why did Lord Kapila explain the qualities of air to Devahuti?

In Canto 3, Kapila teaches Devahuti Sāṅkhya—an analysis of matter and spirit—by describing how the elements and senses operate, so she can detach from material identification and progress toward devotion and liberation.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

Recognize that sensory life depends on subtle material forces like vāyu; by regulating the senses (and breath) and turning attention to the soul and Bhagavān, one reduces agitation and strengthens spiritual practice.