Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.26.36
मृदुत्वं कठिनत्वं च शैत्यमुष्णत्वमेव च ।
एतत्स्पर्शस्य स्पर्शत्वं तन्मात्रत्वं नभस्वत: ॥ ३६ ॥
mṛdutvaṁ kaṭhinatvaṁ ca
[mridutvam kathinatvam cha]
śaityam uṣṇatvam eva ca
[shaityam ushnatvam eva cha]
etat sparśasya sparśatvaṁ
[etat sparshasya sparshatvam]
tan-mātratvaṁ nabhasvataḥ
[tan-maatratvam nabhasvatah]
Word-for-word
mṛdutvam
—
softness
kaṭhinatvam
—
hardness
ca
—
and
śaityam
—
cold
uṣṇatvam
—
heat
eva
—
also
ca
—
and
etat
—
this
sparśasya
—
of the subtle element touch
sparśatvam
—
the distinguishing attributes
tat-mātratvam
—
the subtle form
nabhasvataḥ
—
of air.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
mṛdutvaṁ kaṭhinatvaṁ ca
mṛdutvam
softness
kaṭhinatvam
hardness
ca
and
śaityam uṣṇatvam eva ca
śaityam
cold
uṣṇatvam
heat
eva
also
ca
and
etat sparśasya sparśatvaṁ
etat
this
sparśasya
of the subtle element touch
sparśatvam
the distinguishing attributes
tan-mātratvaṁ nabhasvataḥ
tat-mātratvam
the subtle form
nabhasvataḥ
of air.
Softness and hardness and cold and heat are the distinguishing attributes of touch, which is characterized as the subtle form of air.
Purport
Tangibility is the proof of form. In actuality, objects are perceived in two different ways. They are either soft or hard, cold or hot, etc. This tangible action of the tactile sense is the result of the evolution of air, which is produced from the sky.
— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura
Gauḍīya
Translation
The main characteristics of touch are softness, hardness, cold and heat. It is the tan-mātrā of air.
The characteristics of touch are described. The main characteristics (sparśatvam) of touch are softness, hardness, cold and heat. It is the tan-mātrā of air (nabhasvataḥ).
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
The verse treats sense gratification as the path of least resistance, not as evil. The work is to introduce a little resistance — a small rule, kept — and let the soul re-emerge.
Reflection Questions
- What is your mind feeding on most often, and how is that diet shaping your devotion?
- What small regulation of routine would free up the most attention for inner life?
My note
Source: vedabase.io