SB 3.26.37
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
TEXT 37
- cālanaṁ vyūhanaṁ prāptir
- netṛtvaṁ dravya-śabdayoḥ
- sarvendriyāṇām ātmatvaṁ
- vāyoḥ karmābhilakṣaṇam
SYNONYMS
cālanam—moving; vyūhanam—mixing; prāptiḥ—allowing approach; netṛtvam—carrying; dravya-śabdayoḥ—particles of substances and sound; sarva-indriyāṇām—of all the senses; ātmatvam—providing for the proper functioning; vāyoḥ—of air; karma—by actions; abhilakṣaṇam—the distinct characteristics.
TRANSLATION
The action of the air is exhibited in movements, mixing, allowing approach to the objects of sound and other sense perceptions, and providing for the proper functioning of all other senses.
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 Āyur-vedic 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.