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 ||
Bhishma berkata: “Engkau bahkan tidak memikirkan minuman keras Vāruṇī, maupun burung yang disebut laṭvāka—sebab engkau belum pernah memakannya atau mengecap rasanya. Namun bagi mereka yang bertabiat tamasik dan mengonsumsinya, tiada makanan lain di mana pun yang tampak lebih unggul daripada keduanya. Demikianlah hasrat lahir setelah seseorang mengenal ‘rasa’ suatu hal—melalui sentuhan, penglihatan, bahkan hanya dengan mendengarnya.”
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.