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 ||
O caçador disse: “Os grandes elementos são o espaço, o vento, o fogo, a água e a terra. Suas qualidades distintivas, nessa ordem, são o som, o tato, a forma, o sabor e o odor.” Com este ensinamento, ele fundamenta a reflexão ética numa compreensão clara de que o corpo e o mundo são constituídos por elementos e suas propriedades, preparando o ouvinte para ver o dever e a conduta como alinhados à natureza da realidade, e não ao mero impulso.
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.