Text 42] Fundamental Principles of Material Nature 1107
rasa-matram abhit tasmad
ambho jihva rasa-grahah
riéipa-matrat—which evolves from the subtle element form; vikurvanat—
undergoing transformation; tejasah—from fire; daiva-coditat—under a
superior arrangement; rasa-matram—the subtle element taste; abhiit—be-
came manifested; tasmat—from that; ambhah—water; jihvd—the sense of
taste; rasa-grahah—which perceive taste.
TRANSLATION
By the interaction of fire and the visual sensation, the subtle element
taste evolves under a superior arrangement. From taste, water is produced,
and the tongue, which perceives taste, is also manifested.
PURPORT
The tongue is described here as the instrument for acquiring knowledge
of taste. Because taste is a product of water, there is always saliva on the
tongue.
TEXT 42
A
BUT Tyee: TeaKG eA ANT |
vitferarat fierte Te cat ATTA WEAN
kasdyo madhuras tiktah
katv amla iti naikadha
bhautikanadm vikdrena
rasa eko vibhidyate
kasdyah—astringent; madhurah—sweet; tiktah—bitter; katu—pungent;
amlah—sour; iti—thus; naika-dhad—manifoldly; bhawtikanam—of other sub-
stances; vikdrena—by transformation; rasah—the subtle element taste;
ekah—originally one; vibhidyate—is divided.
TRANSLATION
Although originally one, taste becomes manifold as astringent, sweet,
bitter, pungent, sour and salty due to contact with other substances.
