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## Translation:
**280**
**Shataka**
Thus, a single atom possesses two of the four touch sensations: one form, one taste, one smell, and one touch. However, the aggregates of these atoms, which form the karma-skandhas, can possess all five colors, five tastes, two smells, and four touch sensations. This is because the karma-skandha contains many atoms, and among these atoms, some possess a particular form, some a particular taste, and some a particular smell. Additionally, some atoms possess the touch sensation of smoothness and heat, while others possess the touch sensation of roughness and coldness, from the four touch sensations of coldness, heat, smoothness, and roughness. Therefore, karma-skandhas are described as having five colors, five tastes, two smells, and four touch sensations. For this reason, the author of the text has described the karma-skandha as possessing four touch sensations, two smells, five colors, and five tastes.
**1**
The reason why karma-skandhas are called "four-touched" is that, out of the eight types of touch sensations described, the karma-skandhas from the "grahana" (receiving) category up to the "varna" (color) category of the "aaharaka" (nutritive) body possess all eight touch sensations. However, the karma-skandha that is the "utpadaka" (producer) of these categories possesses only four touch sensations. This is because it is the smallest entity, and therefore the ultimate, subtle, and eternal. It possesses one taste, one smell, one color, and two touch sensations. Its function can only be inferred, not directly perceived.
An atom possesses one of the two touch sensations of coldness and heat, and one of the two touch sensations of smoothness and roughness, thus possessing two touch sensations.
**1**
The "Karmagrantha" (text on karma) states in its "Svopja" (self-generated) commentary that the commentary on the "Brihat Shataka" (Great Hundred Verses) states that the karma-skandha definitely possesses the touch sensations of softness and lightness. In addition to these, it also possesses two more touch sensations from the following pairs: smoothness and heat, smoothness and coldness, roughness and heat, or roughness and coldness. Therefore, a karma-skandha is described as possessing four touch sensations.