Vedic Sanskrit words related to listening-----Veda and Shruti

Vedic Sanskrit words on ear and listening/shruti

(The Sanskrit words written in italics are available in the Sanskrit English Lexicon by Sir Monier Williams. These are the itrans version.  <http://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/monier/>)

(i) karNa---Ear.

karNa is from the root word kRit.

kRit means 'to twist a thread', 'to wind', 'to surround' ----- to create an angle or a direction.

The Sanskrit word koNa (meaning angle as well as a corner) and the word karNa (meaning the ear) are related, and the word koNa must be connected to the English words 'cone' and 'corner'. 

Thus,  the word karNa signifies the role of the ear in detecting directions and controlling our sense of balance. 

The direction does not only mean physical directions. It also means the directions within us, i.e. our tendency or inclination or the way.
In many texts in Vedas and Upanishads, the ear/hearing and directions have been described as an integrated feature of Consciousness. 

The moment we hear a sound or a word we are oriented within ourselves or in our inner space. The word we listen to or the associated feelings determine the direction in the inner space also called antara (inner) aakaasha (sky), where we in that form of word or feeling get located. Like a solid dropped in water gets dissolved and diffused within the water, so we get diffused in the inner space in various directions. Thus in Upanishad it is said, "sarvaa dishaaH sarve praaNaaH" i.e. all directions are inclinations or gestures of Consciousness or praaNa. (Refer to verse 4.2.4 of Brihadranyaka Upanishad.) With our every sense, with our every feeling, there is an associated sound or a word. In the form of living words, we in countless forms exist in the inner space. Direction is called 'endless' in Upanishad. (Refer to verse 4.1.5 of Brihadaranyaka Upanishad). Thus it is said, the ear (shrotra) is a dimension (aayatana) of Universal Consciousness, supported by the sky (aakaasha) or it lies in the sky or space. Thus the space is not inane, it is full of Consciousness. Also, it is said that this aspect of Consciousness is to be worshipped or followed as dik or direction which is 'na antam' or without end or countless. (Refer to verse 4.1.5 of Brihadaranyaka Upanishad).

(ii) shrotra ---Ear, the act of listening.   This is from the root word 'shru'  meaning 'to listen'.
shru ---to listen. shrotra---shru + tra---The listening or act of listening or the organ that provides relief ( tra ) to the listener. 

(iii) shruti---Act of listening.  shruti---veda----act of knowing.

Speaking or expressing, and listening, i.e. knowing what is being expressed, are the intrinsic qualities of Consciousness. This is why whenever we speak, we listen to what we speak. Thus Consciousness 'knows' or 'feels', what Consciousness 'becomes' or 'expresses'.
This is why 'Veda' (veda ) is also called 'shruti'. veda is from the root word vid meaning 'to know'.
Thus Consciousness has become the Universe (by speaking) and is knowing (by listening) Himself /Herself what Consciousness has become.

Dimensional forms and directions /vectors

We have clarified the connections between listening (shruti) and direction (dik) in section (i) above. Thus, when we listen to anything or we feel anything inside, or when an act of sensing generates a feeling inside, the physicality no longer remains and is transferred into non-physical entities within us. It is like breaking a figure or an image into several lines in various directions; these lines together constitute the composite impression or the image. This composed figure or a defined form is called desha (a confined space or a formation) and a desha is made by infinite directions or inclinations of Consciousness or by infinite Conscious personalities called deities.

(iv) shrotriya--One who knows the veda---One who knows that the world is made of words of Consciousness and can listen to the words.

(v) ashru----tears. ashru----ayam (this is) shruti (veda)----Tears are the 'Vedas' or the feelings which come out of the eyes where all the 'feelings' or 'veda' are flagrant. In all expressions of Consciousness, Consciousness first becomes teja or radiant and then condenses as 'ap' / 'apa' or water in which all thirst-quenching 'acquirement' or 'divine water' exists.

{Written following the teaching of the great sage Shri.BijoyKrishna Chattopadhyaya (1875-1945) and his principal disciple Shri.Tridibnath Bandyopadhyaya (1923-1994)}

(debkumar.lahiri@gmail.com)