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Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 54

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

Tattva-vicāra

निरभिद्यतास्य प्रथमं मुखं वाणी ततोऽभवत् । वाण्या वह्निरथो नासे प्राणोतो घ्राण एतयो: ॥ ५४ ॥

nirabhidyatāsya prathamaṁ mukhaṁ vāṇī tato ’bhavat vāṇyā vahnir atho nāse prāṇoto ghrāṇa etayoḥ

首先在祂身上显现口;继而生出言语之根,并随之显现主宰此根的火神。随后显现双鼻孔;其中出现嗅觉之根,并同时显现普拉那——生命之气。

nirabhidyatawas split open
nirabhidyata:
Kriyā (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootnir√bhid (धातु)
FormImperfect (लङ्), Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद), 3rd person, Singular; ‘was split open’
asyaof it
asya:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
TypeNoun
Rootidam (प्रातिपदिक)
FormSarvanāma, Masculine/Neuter, Genitive (6th), Singular
prathamamfirst
prathamam:
Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootprathama (प्रातिपदिक)
FormAvyaya; adverbial accusative (क्रियाविशेषण) ‘first’
mukhammouth
mukham:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootmukha (प्रातिपदिक)
FormNeuter, Nominative (1st), Singular
vāṇīspeech
vāṇī:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootvāṇī (प्रातिपदिक)
FormFeminine, Nominative (1st), Singular
tataḥthen
tataḥ:
Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
TypeIndeclinable
Roottataḥ (अव्यय)
FormAvyaya; adverb ‘then/from that’
abhavatarose; became
abhavat:
Kriyā (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Root√bhū (धातु)
FormImperfect (लङ्), Parasmaipada, 3rd person, Singular
vāṇyāfrom/through speech
vāṇyā:
Karaṇa (करण)
TypeNoun
Rootvāṇī (प्रातिपदिक)
FormFeminine, Instrumental (3rd), Singular
vahniḥfire
vahniḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootvahni (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Nominative (1st), Singular
athathen; and
atha:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootatha (अव्यय)
FormAvyaya; particle/conjunction (समुच्चय/अनन्तर)
nāsein the nose
nāse:
Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
TypeNoun
Rootnāsā (प्रातिपदिक)
FormFeminine, Locative (7th), Singular
prāṇaḥbreath; vital air
prāṇaḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootprāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Nominative (1st), Singular
utaalso
uta:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootuta (अव्यय)
FormAvyaya; particle (निपात) ‘and/also’
ghrāṇamsense of smell; nose-faculty
ghrāṇam:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootghrāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
FormNeuter, Nominative (1st), Singular
etayoḥof these two
etayoḥ:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
TypeNoun
Rootetad (प्रातिपदिक)
FormSarvanāma, Genitive (6th), Dual (द्विवचन)

With the manifestation of speech, fire also became manifested, and with the manifestation of nostrils the vital air, the breathing process and the sense of smell also became manifested.

K
Kapila-deva
D
Devahūti
A
Agni

FAQs

In this verse, Kapila explains that when the cosmic mouth manifests, speech arises, and from speech the principle of fire (Agni) is generated.

He is teaching Sāṅkhya-tattva—how the elements, senses, and life-air unfold from the Supreme—so Devahūti can gain clear knowledge and progress toward liberation through devotion.

It encourages mindful use of speech and regulation of prāṇa (through disciplined living and devotion), recognizing the senses as sacred energies meant to be engaged in service to the Lord.