FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 2.10.20

नासिके निरभिद्येतां दोधूयति नभस्वति । तत्र वायुर्गन्धवहो घ्राणो नसि जिघृक्षत: ॥ २० ॥
nāsike nirabhidyetāṁ
[naasike nirabhidyetaam]
dodhūyati nabhasvati
[dodhooyati nabhasvati]
tatra vāyur gandha-vaho
[tatra vaayur gandha-vaho]
ghrāṇo nasi jighṛkṣataḥ
[ghraano nasi jighrikshatah]
Word-for-word
nāsike — in the nostrils nirabhidyetām — being developed dodhūyati — rapidly blowing nabhasvati — air respiration tatra — thereupon vāyuḥ — air gandha-vahaḥ — smelling odor ghrāṇaḥ — sense of smell nasi — in the nose jighṛkṣataḥ — desiring to smell odors.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
nāsike nirabhidyetāṁ
nāsike
in the nostrils
nirabhidyetām
being developed
dodhūyati nabhasvati
dodhūyati
rapidly blowing
nabhasvati
air respiration
tatra vāyur gandha-vaho
tatra
thereupon
vāyuḥ
air
gandha-vahaḥ
smelling odor
ghrāṇo nasi jighṛkṣataḥ
ghrāṇaḥ
sense of smell
nasi
in the nose
jighṛkṣataḥ
desiring to smell odors.
Thereafter, when the supreme puruṣa desired to smell odors, the nostrils and respiration were generated, the nasal instrument and odors came into existence, and the controlling deity of air, carrying smell, also became manifested.
Purport

The nasal instrument, odor, and the controlling deity of air, smelling, etc., all became manifested simultaneously when the Lord desired to smell. The Vedic mantras confirm this statement in the Upaniṣads’ statement that everything is first desired by the Supreme before the subordinate living entity can act upon it. The living entity can see only when the Lord sees, the living entity can smell when the Lord smells, and so on. The idea is that the living entity cannot do anything independently. He can simply think of doing something independently, but he cannot act independently. This independence in thinking is there by the grace of the Lord, but the thinking can be given shape by the grace of the Lord, and therefore the common saying is that man proposes and God disposes. The whole explanation is on the subject of the absolute dependence of the living entities and absolute independence of the Supreme Lord. Less intelligent persons claiming to be on an equal level with God must first prove themselves to be absolute and independent, and then they must substantiate their claim to being one with God.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
When the universal form desired to speak, from his mouth, the devatā of fire, the voice sense organ and speech, which is dependent on the devatā and the sense organ, appeared. When the form resided in the water for a long time, obstruction appeared for the universal form. When the life air became active, the two nostrils became differentiated. When the universal form desired to smell, Vāyu, who carries fragrance, fragrance, and the nose appeared.
Commentary

In the location of the mouth (mukhataḥ) of the universal form appeared the devatā fire, the subtle sense organ voice and the sense object speech (vyāhrtam), which is dependent on the devatā and the sense (tayoḥ).

When obstruction took place in the water for the universal form, without breathing he could not continue existence. The nostrils are the location, the gross form, by which breathing can take place. When the life air (nabhasvati) became very active (dodhūyati), the two nostrils (gross organ) became differentiated. Air or Vāyu, who carries the fragrance, is the devatā, and fragrance is the sense object. The nose is the subtle sense object. Jighṛkṣataḥ means “of he who desired to receive smells.”

Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Nostrils, breath, smell, and the air deity all manifested when the Lord desired to smell. Living beings can see only when He sees, smell only when He smells. We have no independent action — only by His grace can thinking become acting.
Reflection Questions
  • Where do I imagine I can will action without His enabling?
  • How does this dependence reframe my next 'I did it' moment?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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