Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvitiya Skandha, Shloka 22
Daśa-lakṣaṇam: The Ten Topics, Virāṭ-Puruṣa Sense-Manifestation, and the Supreme Shelter (Āśraya)
बोध्यमानस्य ऋषिभिरात्मनस्तज्जिघृक्षत: । कर्णौ च निरभिद्येतां दिश: श्रोत्रं गुणग्रह: ॥ २२ ॥
bodhyamānasya ṛṣibhir ātmanas taj jighṛkṣataḥ karṇau ca nirabhidyetāṁ diśaḥ śrotraṁ guṇa-grahaḥ
جب عظیم رشیوں میں آتما-تتّو کو جاننے کی خواہش بیدار ہوئی تو بھگوان میں سننے کی چاہ پیدا ہوئی۔ تب کان ظاہر ہوئے؛ جہات کی دیویات، سماعت کی قوت اور قابلِ سماعت موضوع بھی نمودار ہوئے۔
As stated in the Bhagavad-gītā, by advancement of knowledge one should try to know about the Supreme Lord, the summum bonum of everything. Knowledge does not mean knowledge only of the laws of nature or physical knowledge, which are working by the direction of the Lord. The scientists are eager to hear about the physical laws working in material nature. They are eager to hear through the medium of radio and television about things taking place far away from them on other planets, but they should know that the power of hearing and the instruments for hearing were given to them by the Lord for hearing about the Self, or about the Lord. Unfortunately the power of hearing is misused in hearing the vibrations of mundane affairs. The great sages were interested in hearing about the Lord through Vedic knowledge and nothing more. That is the beginning of aural reception of knowledge.
FAQs
This verse states that when the Supreme Self is invoked by the sages and wishes to manifest hearing, the ears become distinct, and along with them the directions appear—since hearing is the faculty that receives sound.
Because sound is perceived from all sides, the manifestation of hearing is linked with the manifestation of the directions; the verse connects the sense organ with its field of perception.
Use hearing as a sacred gateway: cultivate śravaṇam (hearing) of Bhagavān’s names and teachings, and avoid sound that disturbs the mind—since what we hear shapes consciousness.