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 ||
毗湿摩说道：“你甚至不会想到瓦鲁尼酒，也不会想到名为拉特瓦卡的鸟——因为你从未吃过、尝过它们。然而，对那些心性昏沉、属暗性（tāmasika）而食用它们的人来说，世间任何地方都没有别的食物能胜过这两样。由此可知，欲望唯在识得一物之‘味’之后方才生起——或由触、或由见，乃至仅由闻听亦能引发。”
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.