Devanagari
द्रव्याकृतित्वं गुणता व्यक्तिसंस्थात्वमेव च ।
तेजस्त्वं तेजस: साध्वि रूपमात्रस्य वृत्तय: ॥ ३९ ॥
Verse text
dravyākṛtitvaṁ guṇatā
vyakti-saṁsthātvam eva ca
tejastvaṁ tejasaḥ sādhvi
rūpa-mātrasya vṛttayaḥ
Synonyms
dravya
—
of an object
;
ākṛtitvam
—
dimension
;
guṇatā
—
quality
;
vyakti
—
saṁsthātvam — individuality
;
eva
—
also
;
ca
—
and
;
tejastvam
—
effulgence
;
tejasaḥ
—
of fire
;
sādhvi
—
O virtuous lady
;
rūpa
—
mātrasya — of the subtle element form
;
vṛttayaḥ
—
the characteristics .
Translation
My dear mother, the characteristics of form are understood by dimension, quality and individuality. The form of fire is appreciated by its effulgence.
Translation (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)
O Devahūti! The qualities of form are providing shape, allowing perception through qualities, and allowing perception of size. It is the tan-mātrā of fire.
The qualities of form are described. It provided shape for objects (ākṛtitvam). It is perceived by secondary aspects (qualities) of the object (guṇatā). Sound is perceived independently. Perception of an invisible substance by touch also shows independence. Form however is not independent of qualities for its perception. It allows perception of an object’s size (vyakti-saṁsthātvam). It is the tan-mātrā of fire (tejastvam). These are its qualities (vṛttayaḥ).
Purport
Every form that we appreciate has its particular dimensions and characteristics. The quality of a particular object is appreciated by its utility. But the form of sound is independent. Forms which are invisible can be understood only by touch; that is the independent appreciation of invisible form. Visible forms are understood by analytical study of their constitution. The constitution of a certain object is appreciated by its internal action. For example, the form of salt is appreciated by the interaction of salty tastes, and the form of sugar is appreciated by the interaction of sweet tastes. Tastes and qualitative constitution are the basic principles in understanding the form of an object.