Fire is therefore perceived through its light, but also through its capacity to cook food as well as to digest it, to overcome the cold, to evaporate liquids and to arouse hunger and thirst like eating and drinking.

Under the action of fire and visual sensations, the subtle element that is flavor develops according to a higher design. Then comes the taste from which water and the tongue proceed, which perceives flavors.

Water is characterized by the following properties: it moistens other elements, coagulates various substances, provides satisfaction, maintains life, softens certain things, drives away heat, constantly feeds watercourses and refreshes by quenching thirst.

By the interaction of water and the perception of taste, and according to a higher purpose, the subtle element of smell becomes manifest. From this then come the earth and the sense of smell, by which we can sense the various perfumes of the earth.

The smell, although of one essence, becomes diverse, sometimes mixed, sometimes repulsive and sometimes fragrant, sweet, strong or sour, etc., according to the proportions in which the substances from which it emanates are combined.

The characteristics proper to the functions of the earth can be perceived by fashioning forms of the Supreme Eternal, by erecting places of residence, by making pots to hold water, etc. In other words, the earth serves as a support for all the elements.

Hearing is the sense whose object of perception is sound, and touch, that whose object of perception is that which is touched.

Sight is the sense whose object of perception is form, which characterizes fire. Taste, on the other hand, has as its object of perception flavor, which is the mark of water. Finally, smell has as its object of perception odor, which belongs specifically to the earth.

Since the cause can be seen through the effect, the characteristics of the former are visible in the latter. That is why the characteristics of all the elements exist in the earth alone.

While all these elements had not yet combined, the Supreme Lord, the origin of creation, entered the universe, followed by time, action and the three gunas, with the total material energy, which has seven divisions.

Then, from these seven principles, set in motion and united with each other by the presence of the Lord, arose an egg devoid of intelligence, from which appeared the Cosmic Being in all His glory.