Shloka 31
भृगु–भरद्वाजसंवादः: वर्णभेदस्य कर्माधारितव्याख्या
Bhrigu–Bharadvaja Dialogue: A Karma-Based Account of Varṇa
“जो किसी विषयका रस नहीं जानता, उसके मनमें कभी उसकी कामना भी नहीं होती। स्पर्शसे, दर्शनसे अथवा श्रवणसे भी कामनाका उदय होता है ।।
na tvaṁ smarasi vāruṇyā laṭvākānāṁ ca pakṣiṇām | tābhyāṁ cābhyadhiko bhakṣyo na kvacid vidyate kvacit ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Tu ne songes même pas à la liqueur Vāruṇī, ni aux oiseaux appelés laṭvāka, parce que tu ne les as jamais mangés ni goûtés. Pourtant, pour ceux dont l’esprit est de nature tamasique (tāmasika) et qui les consomment, nul aliment, où que ce soit, ne leur paraît supérieur à ces deux-là. Ainsi le désir ne s’élève qu’après avoir connu le “goût” d’une chose—par le toucher, par la vue, ou même par l’ouïe.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Desire does not arise in the mind without some prior ‘knowing’ of an object’s appeal—directly through the senses (touch, sight) or indirectly through hearing. What one has never tasted or experienced typically does not become an object of craving; but once habituated, even harmful items can appear ‘best’ to a tamasic person.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on ethics and mental discipline, Bhishma explains to his listener how cravings originate. He uses the example of Vāruṇī liquor and certain birds eaten by some people: since the listener has not consumed them, he does not even remember or desire them, whereas those who indulge may rank them above all other foods.