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Here we are "lured" from the gross to the subtle. The sense of taste
is associated with water. It is "housed" in the watery portion of
all tasteful objects; and when it is brought into contact with our
tongue, too, the first reaction is salivation. What actually is that
essence (rasa) in that liquid or watery portion which we refer to as
taste? I t is God ' s manifestation; something which is beyond the
reach (at least, yet) of the modern scientist. Water and even the
water-element in sugar, salt, vinegar, and pepper, is but the
carrier, the vehicle or abode of this innermost essence that is the
real secret of taste. The nature of these vehicles can be altered:
if you add pepper-water to a lump of sugar, it will not be sweet any
longer! But there is an unalterable essence within that vehicle
called sugar that is so subtle that no sense or instrument can
discover it. That is the reality or manifestation of God. It is that
which gives the distinctive quality to these vehicles.
Scientists have been asking
themselves, "What makes the grass green?" Chlorophyll! "How is that
formed?" The ultimate principle in this quest is the manifestation
of God - not God himself, yet! That is the "life principle" in all
beings. Its existence can be guessed, experienced, but not grasped
by the senses or the mind. We ought to be grateful to God that his
divine power is gently leading even the most atheistic and
materialistic of scientists of today towards this penultimate step
of sheer wonderment.
Wonderment gives rise to quest,
inquiry. Without the latter the wonderment may degenerate into
sensuality, emotional exhibitionism or materialism. Inquiry is
discovery. |
