The living agent hears what is said, through the ears. It is, again, the fact, O great Rishi, that the same agent hears not when the mind is elsewhere engaged. It appears, therefore, that what is called the living agent serves no purpose.
शृणोति कथितं जीवः कर्णाभ्यां न शृणोति तत्। महर्षे मनसि व्यग्रे तस्माज्जीवो निरर्थकः॥