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Plane of taste
(rasa-loka)
While in the lower chakras the sense of taste was predominantly a mode of sensory perception, in the fourth chakra it becomes purified — taste in the aesthetic sense. One who lands in this plane is able to penetrate into the world of ideas and meanings. This penetration gives the player direct experiential knowledge of the essence of emotions and sentiments.
Rasa is love, pleasure, grace, enjoyment, sentiment, taste, emotions, beauty, passion, spirit. It is the poetic sentiment, the essence ot poetry. Rasa is water in its purest form, the force that binds all creation together.
Up to the third chakra, taste — in all its shades of meaning — is devoted to lower-level activities. In the first chakra the sense of taste is totally dominated by the desire to make money. Power foods (meat especially) and prepared foods (convenience products) are the basis of the player’s diet. He uses a great deal of salt and spice. By the second chakra the energies are diverted toward sensuality, especially sex. Here foods that increase sexual stamina, such as eggs, ginseng, and fish, are his concern. In the third chakra he indulges taste for its own sake, consuming foods for different flavors and textures. But in the fourth chakra, the heart plane, the sense of taste becomes purified. He leaves salt and sweet tastes to understand the real essence of the food he consumes.
Once the player lands on the plane of taste, his taste improves in all dimensions. His tastes in food, music, and conversation are pleasing to all, regardless of their vibrational level. He becomes a master of good taste, appreciated by all. Thus he draws to himself a group of admirers who seek to vibrate in the same frequencies.
This artwork visually interprets the "Plane of Taste" (Rasa-loka), embodying the aesthetic and emotional depth of taste as experienced in the fourth chakra. The central figure represents the player who has attained Rasa-loka, depicted in a state of profound experiential understanding of taste in its purest form.
Surrounding the central figure are artistic representations of emotions, sentiments, and beauty. These elements reflect the player's deep connection with the poetic sentiment of Rasa, illustrating the transformation from physical taste sensations to a more aesthetic and emotional appreciation. The background is imbued with subtle imagery of pure water and harmonious elements, symbolizing the unifying force of Rasa that binds all creation together.
The artwork also integrates visual elements that represent the evolution of taste from physical sensation to aesthetic appreciation. Elegant food items, musical notes, and serene colors add to the overall theme of tranquility and profound appreciation. This composition emphasizes the player's journey towards mastering good taste and an appreciation for the finer aspects of life, transcending the lower chakras' focus on sensory gratification and moving towards a more elevated, harmonious experience.