Shloka 45

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

Tattva-vicāra

Devanagari script

करम्भपूतिसौरभ्यशान्तोग्राम्‍लादिभि: पृथक् । द्रव्यावयववैषम्याद्गन्ध एको विभिद्यते ॥ ४५ ॥

Transliteration

karambha-pūti-saurabhya- śāntogrāmlādibhiḥ pṛthak dravyāvayava-vaiṣamyād gandha eko vibhidyate

Translation

Odor, though one in itself, becomes many—mixed, foul, fragrant, mild, strong, acidic, and so on—according to the differing proportions of associated substances.

Synonyms

• karambha-pūti-saurabhya-śānta-ugra-amla-ādibhiḥ: by (types) such as thick, foul, fragrant, mild, strong, sour, etc.
• karambha-pūti-saurabhya-śānta-ugra-amla-ādibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karambha (प्रातिपदिक) + pūti (प्रातिपदिक) + saurabhya (प्रातिपदिक) + śānta (प्रातिपदिक) + ugra (प्रातिपदिक) + amla (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग) collective, Instrumental (3/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन); itaretara/samāhāra-dvandva list with ādi; 'by (varieties) such as…'

• pṛthak: separately / distinctly
• pṛthak: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pṛthak (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण): separation/distinctly

• dravya-avayava-vaiṣamyāt: from the disparity of material components
• dravya-avayava-vaiṣamyāt: Apādāna/Hetu (अपादान/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dravya (प्रातिपदिक) + avayava (प्रातिपदिक) + vaiṣamya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Ablative (5/पञ्चमी), Singular (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa chain: 'dravya-avayavānāṁ vaiṣamyāt'

• gandhaḥ: smell
• gandhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gandha (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 'gandhaḥ'

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

Purport

Mixed smell is sometimes perceived in foodstuffs prepared from various ingredients, such as vegetables mixed with different kinds of spices and asafetida. Bad odors are perceived in filthy places, good smells are perceived from camphor, menthol and similar other products, pungent smells are perceived from garlic and onions, and acidic smells are perceived from turmeric and similar sour substances. The original aroma is the odor emanating from the earth, and when it is mixed with different substances, this odor appears in different ways.

Characters & Entities

• Kapila
• Devahuti

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about why one sense object appears as many varieties (like different smells)?

This verse explains that smell is fundamentally one, but it appears as diverse (fragrant, foul, mild, pungent, sour, etc.) due to different mixtures and proportions of a substance’s constituent parts.

Why did Lord Kapila explain different kinds of smell to Devahuti in Canto 3?

Kapila is teaching Sāṅkhya analysis—how material perception arises from prakṛti’s components—so Devahūti can gain detachment from sensory variety and progress toward spiritual realization.

How can this teaching about sensory variety be applied in modern life?

Recognize that sensory experiences are products of changing material combinations; this helps reduce attachment and aversion, supporting steadiness of mind and devotional focus.