Tanmatra

Tanmatra

तन्मात्र, tanmātra

elementary or subtle element. There are five tanmatras from which the five maha-bhutas, or great elements (ether, air, fire, water and earth), originate:

• shabda (sound)
• sparsha (touch)
• rupa (visibility)
• rasa (presence of taste)
• gandha (smell)

Tanmatras are properties of objects perceived by the five senses (hearing, touch, sight, taste, and smell).