Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 29
Bhakti Yoga: The Three Modes of Devotion, Non-Envy, and Time as the Lord
तत्रापि स्पर्शवेदिभ्य: प्रवरा रसवेदिन: । तेभ्यो गन्धविद: श्रेष्ठास्तत: शब्दविदो वरा: ॥ २९ ॥
tatrāpi sparśa-vedibhyaḥ pravarā rasa-vedinaḥ tebhyo gandha-vidaḥ śreṣṭhās tataḥ śabda-vido varāḥ
इंद्रियज्ञान असणाऱ्यांत स्पर्श जाणणाऱ्यांपेक्षा रस जाणणारे श्रेष्ठ; त्याहून गंध जाणणारे श्रेष्ठ; आणि त्याहून शब्द जाणणारे अधिक श्रेष्ठ।
Although Westerners accept that Darwin first expounded the doctrine of evolution, the science of anthropology is not new. The development of the evolutionary process was known long before from the Bhāgavatam, which was written five thousand years ago. There are records of the statements of Kapila Muni, who was present almost in the beginning of the creation. This knowledge has existed since the Vedic time, and all these sequences are disclosed in Vedic literature; the theory of gradual evolution or anthropology is not new to the Vedas.
FAQs
This verse states an ascending order among sense-perceptions—touch, taste, smell, and highest among these, sound—highlighting the special spiritual importance of sound.
In Kapila’s bhakti teachings to Devahuti, he analyzes the senses to show how consciousness can be elevated—especially through sound, which supports spiritual hearing (śravaṇam) of divine topics.
Prioritize uplifting sound—regularly hear and recite Bhagavatam and holy names—while reducing degrading audio inputs, since sound strongly shapes the mind and devotion.