Shanti Parva 280.32
Rahular Itihasa / M. N. Dutt · Shanti Parva Chapter 280 · Verse 32
Sanskrit Original
षड् जीववर्णाः परमं प्रमाणं कृष्णो धूम्रो नीलमथास्य मध्यम्। राक्तं पुन: सह्यतरं सुखं तु हारिद्रवर्णं सुसुखं च शुक्लम्॥
The highest Evidence says that creatures have six colours, viz., Dark, Tawny, Blue, Red, Yellow, and White. These colours produced by mixtures in various degrees of are three qualities of Rajas, Tamas, and Sattva. Where Tamas prevents Sattva falls below the mark, and Rajas remains the same, the result is the colour called Dark. When Tamas prevails as before, but the relations between Sattva sand Rajas, are changed the result is the color called Tawny. When Rajas prevents, Sattva goes down, and Tamas remains the same, the result is the colour called Blue. When Rajas prevents as before and the proportion change between Sativa and Tamas, the result is the intermediate colour called Red. That colour is more agreeable. When Sattva prevents Rajas falls down and Tamas keeps on the same, the result is the colour called Yellow. It yields happiness. When Sativa prevails and the proportion is changed between Rajas and Tamas, the result is the colour called White. It yields great happiness.