and pleasure. As those Rishis conversant with every topic were seated there, the following discourse of grave import took place among them on the subject of the proper ascertainment of the (different) tastes and food.
"There is one kind of taste, said Bhadrakāpya; which persons skilled in the subject regard as are of the five subjects of the senses, viz., that which relates to the tongue. That, again, is not different from water.
"The Brāhmana Sākuntèya said there are two tastes, their virtues being that one of them cuts or removes from the body all bad humours or ingredients, and the other only checks or curbs them.
"There are three tastes, said the full-eyed Maudgalya. Their virtues are cutting, curbing, and both.
"There are four tastes, said the golden-eyed Kausika. They are agreeable and beneficial, and agreeable and non-beneficial, disagreeable and beneficial.
"There are five tastes, said Kumārasira-Bharadvāja. They appertain to Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether (or Space).
"There are six tastes, said the royal sage
