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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).


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