The Great Epic of the Bhārata dynasty 12.177.8

12.177.8

na śṛṇvanti na paśyanti na gandharasavedinaḥ |
na ca sparśaṃ vijānanti te kathaṃ pāñcabhautikāḥ || 8 ||

"Bharadwaja said, 'If all mobile and immobile objects be composed of these five elements, why is it that in all immobile objects those elements are not visible? Trees do not appear to have any heat. They do not seem to have any motion. They are again made up of dense particles. The five elements are not noticeable in them. Trees do not hear: they do not see; they are not capable of the perceptions of scent or taste. They have not also the perception of touch. How then can they be regarded as composed of the five (primeval) elements? It seems to me that in consequence of the absence of any liquid material in them, of any heat, of any earth, of any wind, and of any empty space, trees cannot be regarded as compounds of the five (primeval) elements.'