Shloka 42

Sāṅkhya: Categories of the Absolute Truth and the Unfolding of Creation

Tattva-vicāra

Devanagari script

कषायो मधुरस्तिक्त: कट्‍वम्‍ल इति नैकधा । भौतिकानां विकारेण रस एको विभिद्यते ॥ ४२ ॥

Transliteration

kaṣāyo madhuras tiktaḥ kaṭv amla iti naikadhā bhautikānāṁ vikāreṇa rasa eko vibhidyate

Translation

Taste is originally one, yet by contact and transformation of material substances it becomes manifold—as astringent, sweet, bitter, pungent, sour, and salty.

Synonyms

• kaṣāyaḥ: astringent (taste)
• kaṣāyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kaṣāya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• madhuraḥ: sweet (taste)
• madhuraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: madhura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• tiktaḥ: bitter (taste)
• tiktaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tikta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• kaṭu: pungent (taste)
• kaṭu: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kaṭu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• amlaḥ: sour (taste)
• amlaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: amla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• iti: thus
• iti: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/quotative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: Quotative particle (इति-प्रयोग)

• na: not
• na: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Negation particle (निषेध)

• ekadhā: in one way / as one
• ekadhā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ekadhā (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण), manner

• bhautikānām: of material (elements/things)
• bhautikānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhautika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter (पुं/नपुं), Genitive (6/षष्ठी), Plural (बहुवचन); adjectival to implied 'bhūtānām/dravyāṇām'

• vikāreṇa: by transformation/modification
• vikāreṇa: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vikāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• rasaḥ: taste/juice (rasa)
• rasaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• ekaḥ: one
• ekaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: eka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); qualifies 'rasaḥ'

• vibhidyate: is divided / becomes differentiated
• vibhidyate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi√bhid (धातु)
• Form: Present tense (लट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद), Passive sense (कर्मणि प्रयोग)

Characters & Entities

• Kapila
• Devahuti

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the different tastes (rasa)?

In Bhagavatam 3.26.42, Lord Kapila explains that taste is fundamentally one, but it appears as many varieties (sweet, sour, bitter, pungent, astringent) due to transformations of the material elements.

Why did Lord Kapila explain taste and material transformation to Devahuti?

He was teaching Devahuti Sāṅkhya—how the material elements and their modifications produce the objects of the senses—so she could develop discrimination and detachment, supporting steady devotion.

How can this teaching about taste be applied in modern life?

Seeing sensory pleasures as temporary transformations of matter helps reduce attachment and supports mindful living—using the senses responsibly while keeping one’s aim fixed on bhakti.