gandha-mātram abhūt tasmāt
ambhaso daiva-coditāt
gandha-mātram abhūt tasmāt
pṛthvī ghrāṇas tu gandhagaḥ
From transformation of water whose tan-mātrā is taste, by the influence of time, arose smell. From smell arose earth. The nose perceives smell.
|| 3.26.45 ||
karambha-pūti-saurabhya-
śāntogrāmlādibhiḥ pṛthak
dravyāvayava-vaiṣamyād
gandha eko vibhidyate
One smell is divided by combination of different substances it becomes distinguished as mixed, foul, fragrant, mild, strong, or acrid.
The qualities of smell are described. Karambha means mixed smell, as in cooking using hing and other spices. Pūti means foul odor.
|| 3.26.46 ||
bhāvanaṁ brahmaṇaḥ sthānaṁ
dhāraṇaṁ sad-viśeṣaṇam
sarva-sattva-guṇodbhedaḥ
pṛthivī-vṛtti-lakṣaṇam
The qualities of earth are its use in production of deity forms, its steadiness, its accommodating power, its ability to make other elements perceptible, and its power to manifest differences in all beings and their qualities.
The qualities of earth are described. It is used in creation of forms (bhāvanam) of the Lord. It remains in one condition, indifferent to the qualities of other objects such as water. It is the container for water. It is the cause of distinguishing other elements such as sky. We perceive ether because of contamination of earth or we perceive air because of contamination with dust. It causes manifestation with distinctions in all living beings and their qualities such as maleness etc.
|| 3.26.47||
nabho-guṇa-viśeṣo 'rtho
yasya tac chrotram ucyate
vāyor guṇa-viśeṣo 'rtho
yasya tat sparśanaṁ viduḥ
The unique quality of ether is the sense object sound, the object of perception for the ear. The unique quality of air is the sense object touch, the object of perception of the skin.
The senses have already been mentioned in relation to the sense objects. Their qualities are now described. The unique quality of ether is sound, which is the sense object for the ear.
|| 3.26.48 ||
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