Shloka 17
अग्निनाम-प्रादुर्भावः प्रायश्चित्त-विधानं च
Agni’s Epithets, Manifestations, and Expiation Procedures
महाभूतानि खं वायुरग्निरापस्तथा च भू: । शब्द: स्पर्शश्न॒ रूपं च रसो गन्धश्न तदगुणा:,आकाश, वायु अग्नि, जल तथा पृथिवी--ये पाँच महाभूत हैं तथा शब्द, स्पर्श, रूप, रस और गन्ध--ये क्रमश: उनके विशेष गुण हैं
mahābhūtāni khaṁ vāyur agnir āpas tathā ca bhūḥ | śabdaḥ sparśaś ca rūpaṁ ca raso gandhaś ca tad-guṇāḥ ||
狩人は言った。「大いなる元素とは、虚空・風・火・水・地である。その固有の性質は順に、音・触・色（形）・味・香である。」この教えにより彼は、身と世界が元素とその性質によって成り立つという明晰な理解に倫理的省察の根を下ろし、義務と行いは一時の衝動ではなく、実在の本性にかなうべきだと聞き手に悟らせる。
व्याध उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches the classical mapping of the five great elements to their defining sensory qualities: space–sound, air–touch, fire–form, water–taste, earth–smell. This framework supports ethical instruction by encouraging discernment about the body and experience as elemental and conditioned, fostering restraint and right conduct.
In Vana Parva’s instructional dialogue, the hunter (vyādha) continues his discourse, explaining foundational categories of reality (elements and their qualities) as part of a broader lesson on dharma and proper living.