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Rama
Prasad's classic "Nature's Finer Forces" is a long out of print work that
has had a strong influence on certain Golden Dawn workings. Despite its
Theosophic background this Tantric work appears to have been forgotten by the
modern Theosophists. It is an exceptional work offering much occult
theory and practice. It is easy to understand how this work on the Eastern
Tradition had such a strong hold on 19th century Hermetic students and
adepts.
Part
1 (Preface & Chapters I-III)
THE SCIENCE OF BREATH
AND THE
PHILOSOPHY
OF THE TATTVAS
TRANSLATED PROM THE
SANSKRIT, WITH INTRODUCTORY AND EXPLANATORY
ESSAYS
ON
NATURE’S
FINER FORCES
REPRINTED
FROM “THE THEOSOPHIST” WITH MODIFICATIONS
AND ADDITIONS.
-
BY
RAMA PRASAD, M.A., F.T.S.
Its
one
absolute attribute, which is itself, eternal,
ceaseless Motion, is called
in
esoteric parlance the “Great Breath,” which is the perpetual motion of the
Universe,
in the sense of limitless, ever-present Space.
—H. P. Blavatsky: The Secret Doctrine
SECOND
AND REVISED EDITION
LONDON:
THEOSOPHICAL
PUBLISHING SOCIETY, 7, DUKE STREET.
ADELPHI, W.C.
NEW
YORK:
THE
PATH, 144, MADISON AVENUE.
MADRAS:
THEOSOPHICAL
SOCIETY, ADYAR.
1894
THE
H.P.B. PRESS,
42,
Henry Street, Regent's Park,
London,
N.W.
(Printers
to the Theosophical Society)
CONTENTS
Part
1 (Preface &Chapters I-III) below...
Preface
I. The
Tatwas
II.
Evolution
III. The
Mutual Relation of the Tatwas & Principles ~
IV. Prana
(I)
V. Prana
(II)
VI. Prana
(III)
VII.
Prana (IV)
VIII.
The Mind (I)
IX. The
Mind (II)
X. The
Cosmic Picture Gallery
XI. The
Manifestations of Psychic Force
XII. Yoga
~ The Soul (I)
XIII.
Yoga (II)
XIV. Yoga
(III)
XV. The
Spirit
PREFACE
A word of
explanation is necessary with regard to the book now offered to the public. In
the ninth and tenth volumes of The
Thcosophist
I wrote certain essays on “Nature’s Finer Forces.” The subject of
these essays interested the readers of The Theosophist so much, that I was asked to issue the series of essays in book
form. On reading the essays for this purpose I found that in order to make a
book they must be almost entirely rearranged and perhaps re-written. However,
not being equal to the task of re-writing what I had once written, I
determined to publish a translation of the book in Sanskrit on the Science of
Breath and the Philosophy of the Tattvas. As, moreover, without these essays
the book would have been quite unintelligible, I decided to add them to the
book by way of an illustrative introduction. This accordingly has been done.
The essays in The Theosophist have
been reprinted with certain additions, modifications and corrections.
Besides, I have written several more essays in order to make the explanations
more complete and authoritative.
I was confirmed in this
course by one more consideration. The book contains a good deal more than
the essays touched upon, and I thought it better to lay alt of it before the
public.
The book
is sure to throw a good deal of light upon the scientific researches of the
ancient Aryans of India, and it will leave no doubt in a candid mind that the
religion of ancient India had a scientific basis. It is chiefly for this reason
that I have drawn my illustrations of the Tattvic Law from the Upanishads.
There is a
good deal in the book which can only be shown to be true by long and diligent
experiment. Those who are devoted to the pursuit of truth without prejudice
will no doubt be ready to wait before they form any opinion about such
portions of the book. Others it is useless to reason with.
To the
former class of students I have to say one word more. From my own experience I
can tell them that the more they study the book, the more wisdom they are sure
to find in it, and let me hope that ere long I shall have a goodly number of
colleagues, who will with me try their best to explain and illustrate the bock
still better and more thoroughly.
MEERUT, INDIA,
RAMA PRASAD
November 5th, 1889
PREFACE
TO THE SECOND AND
REVISED
EDITION
The points
on which revision has been attempted are: (1) the style of printing has been
made uniform with the rest of the books printed on the “H. P. B.” Press;
(2) consistency in transliteration of Sanskrit terms has been studied, and a
number of errors corrected; (3) the English of some phrases has been unproved;
and (4) a few passages have been omitted from the text. R. H.. is responsible
for some small portion of the work of revision and for the rest the
undersigned, who has a high appreciation of Mr. Rama Prasad’s essays—an
appreciation, however, which is not extended to certain portions of the Tântrik
work he has so ably translated.
G.R.S.M.
LONDON,
1894.
NATURE’S FINER FORCES,
AND THEIR INFLUENCE UPON
HUMAN LIFE AND DESTINY.
I
THE TATTVAS
The Tattvas are the five
modifications of the Great Breath. Acting upon Prakriti this Great Breath
throws it into five states, having distinctive vibratory motions, and
performing different functions. The first outcome of the evolutionary state of
Parabrahman is the Âkâsha Tattva. After this come in order the Vâyu, the
Tejas, the Apas and the Prithivi. They are variously known as Mahâbhûtas. The
word Âkâsha is generally translated into English by the word ether.
Unfortunately, however, to modern English science sound is not known to be
the distinguishing quality of ether. Some few might also have the idea that the
modern medium of light is the same as Âkâsha. This, I believe is a mistake.
The luminiferous ether is the subtle Tejas Tattva, and not the Âkâsha. All
the five subtle Tattvas might no doubt be called ethers, but to use the term
ether for Âkâsha, without any distinguishing epithet, is misleading. We might
call Âkâsha the sonoriferous ether, the Vâyu the tangiferous ether, Apas the
gustiferous ether, and Prithivi the odoriferous ether. Just as there exists in
the universe the luminiferous ether, an element of refined matter without which
it has been found that the phenomena of light find no adequate explanation, so
do there exist the four remaining ethers, elements of refined matter, without
which it will be found that the phenomena of sound, touch, taste and smell find
no adequate explanation.
The
luminiferous ether is supposed by modern science to be matter in a most refined
state. It is the vibrations of this element that are said to constitute light.
The vibrations are said to take place at right angles to the direction of the
wave. Nearly the same is the description of the Tejas Tattva given in the book.
It makes this Tattva move in an upward direction, and the centre of the
direction is, of course, the direction of the wave. Besides, it saps that one
whole
vibration of this element makes the figure of a triangle.
Suppose in
this figure A B is the direction of the wave; B C the direction of the
vibration. C A is the line along which,
seeing that in expansion the symmetrical arrangements of the atoms of a
body are not changed, the vibrating atom must return
to its symmetrical position in the line A B.
The Tejas
Tattva of the ancients is then exactly the luminiferous ether of the moderns,
so far as the nature of the vibration is concerned. There is no conception,
however, of the four remaining ethers, at all events in a direct manner, in
modern science. The vibrations of Âkâsha, the sonoriferous ether, constitute
sound; and it is quite necessary to recognize the distinctive character of this
form of motion.
The
experiment of the bell in a vacuum goes to prove that the vibrations of the
atmosphere propagate sound. Any other media, however, such as the earth and the
metals, are known to transmit sound in various degrees. There must, therefore,
be some one thing in all these media which gives birth to sound— the
vibration which constitutes sound. That something is the Indian Âkâsha.1
But Âkâsha
is all-pervading, just as is the luminiferous ether. Why, then, is not sound
transmitted to our ears when a vacuum is produced in the bell-jar? The real
fact is that we must make
a difference
between the vibrations of the elements which constitute sound and light,
etc., mid the vibrations of tile media which transmit these impressions to our
senses. It is not the vibrations of the ethers — the subtle Tattvas — that
cause our perceptions, but the ethereal vibrations transferred to different
media, which are so many modifications of gross matter—the Sthûla Mahâbhûtas.
The luminiferous ether is present just as much in a darkened room as in the
space without. The minutest space within the dimensions of the surrounding
walls themselves is not void of it. For all this the luminosity of the exterior
is not present in the interior. Why? The reason is that our ordinary vision
does not see the vibrations of the luminiferous ether. It only sees the
vibrations of the media which the ether pervades. The capability of being set
into. ethereal vibrations varies with different media. In the space without the
darkened room the, ether brings the atoms of the atmosphere into the necessary
state of visual vibration, and one wide expanse of light is presented to our
view. The same is the case with every other object that we see. The ether which
pervades the object brings the atoms of that object into the necessary state of
visual vibration. The strength of the ethereal vibrations which the presence of
the sun imparts to the ether pervading our planet is not sufficient to evoke
the same state in the dead matter of the darkening walls. The internal ether,
divided from the external one by this dead mass, is itself cut off from such
vibrations. The darkness of the room is thus the consequence, notwithstanding
the presence therein of the luminiferous ether. An electric spark in the vacuum
of a bell-jar must needs be transmitted to our eyes, because the glass of the
jar which stands in contact with the internal luminiferous ether has a certain
degree of the capability of being put into the state of visual vibration, which
from thence is transmitted to the external ether and thence to the eye. The
same would never be the case if we were to use a porcelain or an earthen jar.
It is this capability of being put into the state of visual vibration which in
glass and similar objects we call transparency.
To
return to the sonoriferous ether (Âkâsha). Every form of gross matter has, to
a certain extent, which varies with varying forms, what we may call auditory transparency.
I
have now to say something about the nature of the vibrations. Two things must be
understood in this connection. In the first place the external form of the
vibration is something like the hole of the ear.
It
throws matter which is subject to it, into the form of a dotted sheet.
These dots are little points, rising above the common surface so as to produce
microscopic pits in the sheet. It is said to move by fits and starts 
(Sankrama),
and to move in all directions (Sarvatogama). That means to say that the impulse
falls back upon itself along the line of its former path, which lies on all
sides of the direction of the wave.
It
will be understood that these
ethers
produce in gross media vibrations similar to their own. The form, therefore,
into which the auditory vibrations throw the atmospheric air is a true
clue to the form of the ethereal vibration. And the vibrations of atmospheric
air discovered by modern science are similar.
I come now
to the tangiferous ether (Vâyu). The vibrations of th
is ether are described as
being spherical in form, and the motion is said to be at acute angles to the
wave (Tiryak). Such is the representation of these vibrations on the plane of
the paper.
The
remarks about the transmission of sound in the case of Âkâsha
apply here, too, mutatis mutandis.
The
gustiferous ether (Apas Tattva) is said to resemble in shape the half moon. It
is, moreover, said to move downward. This direction is opposite to that of the
luminiferous ether. This force, therefore, causes contraction. Here is the
representation of the Apas vibrations on the plane of paper.
The
process of contraction will be considered when I come to the qualities of the
Tattvas.
The
odoriferous ether (Prithivi) is said to be quadrangular in shape. Thus:
This is said to
move in the middle. It neither moves at right angles, nor at acute angles, nor upwards, nor downwards, but it moves along the line of the wave. The line and the
quadrangle are in the same plane.
These
are the forms, and the modes of motion, of the five ethers. Of the five sensations of
men, each of these ethers gives birth to one, thus:
1. Âkâsha,, sonoriferous ether, sound.
2. Vâyü, tangiferous ether, touch.
3. Tejas, luminiferous ether, colour.
4. Apas, gustiferous ether, taste.
5. Prithivi, odoriferous ether, smell.
In the process of evolution these
coexisting ethers, while retaining their general relative forms and primary qualities, contract time qualities of the other
Tattvas. This is known as the process of Panchikarana or division into five.
If we take, as our book does, H, P, R, V and L to be the algebraical symbols for
(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), respectively, the ethers after Panchikarana assume the following forms:
H
P
R
V L
(1)
H = —
+ —
+ —
+ —
+ —
2
8
8
8 8
P
H
R
V L
(
2)
P = —
+ —
+ —
+ —
+ —
2
8
8
8 8
R
H
P
V L
(
3)
R = —
+ —
+ —
+ —
+ —
2
8
8
8 8
V
R
H
P L
(
4)
V = —
+ —
+ —
+ —
+ —
2
8
8
8 8
L
V
R
H P
(
5)
L = —
+ —
+ —
+ —
+ —
2
8
8
8 8
One molecule of each ether, consisting of eight
atoms, has four of the original principal ethers, and one each of the remaining
four.
The following table will show the five qualities of
each of the Tattvas after Panchikarana.
| |
SOUND |
TOUCH |
TASTE |
COLOUR |
SMELL |
| (1) H. |
Ordinary |
............. |
............ |
.......... |
.......... |
| (2) P. |
Very Light |
Rather cool |
Acid |
The blue of the cloud |
Acid |
| (3) R. |
Light |
Very hot |
Hot |
Red |
Hot |
| (4) V. |
Heavy |
Cool |
Astringent |
White |
Astringent |
| (5) L. |
Deep |
Slightly hot |
Sweet |
Yellow |
Sweet |
It might be remarked here that the subtle Tattvas
exist now in the universe on four planes. The higher of these planes differs
from the lower in having a greater number
of vibrations per second. The four planes are:
1. Physiological
Prâna.
2. Mental
Manas.
3. Psychic
Vijnâna.
4. Spiritual
Ananda.
I shall
now, however, discuss some of the secondary qualities of these Tattvas.
1. Space.—This is a quality of the
Âkâsha Tattva. It has been
asserted that the vibration of this ether is shaped like the hole of the ear,
and that in the body thereof are microscopic points
(Vindus). It follows, evidently, that the interstices between the points
serve to give space to ethereal minima, and offer them room for locomotion (Avakâsha).
2.
Locomotion.—This is the quality of the Vâyu Tattva. Vâyu is a
form of motion itself, for motion in all directions is motion in a circle, large
or small. The Vâyu Tattva has itself the form of spherical motion. When to the
motion which keeps up the form of the different ethers is added the stereotyped
motion of the
Vâyu,
locomotion is the result.
3. Expansion.—This
is the
quality of the Tejas Tattva. This follows evidently from the shape and form of
motion which is given to this ethereal vibration. Suppose A B C is a lump of
metal:
If we
apply to it a brand of fire, the luminiferous ether in it is set in motion, and
that drives the
gross atoms of the lump into
similar motion.
Suppose a is an atom. This being. impelled to assume the shape of the Tejas,
vibration goes towards a’, and then takes the symmetrical position of a”.
Similarly does every point change its place round the centre of the piece of
metal. Ultimately the whole
piece assumes the shape of A’ B’ C’. Expansion is thus the result.
4.
Contraction.— This is the
quality of the Apas Tattva. As has been remarked before, the direction of this
ether is the reverse of the Agni, and
it is therefore easy to understand that contraction is the result of the play of
this Tattva.
5.
Cohesive Resistance.— This is
the quality of the Prithivi Tattva. This, it will be seen, is the reverse of Âkâsha.
Âkâsha,
gives room for locomotion, while Prithivi resists it. This is the natural result
of the direction and shape of this vibration. It covers up the spaces of the Âkâsha.
6.
Smoothness.— This is a quality of the Apas Tattva. As the atoms
of any body in contraction come near each other and assume the semi-lunar shape
of the Apas, they must easily glide over each other. The very shape secures for
the atoms easy motion.
This, I
believe, is sufficient to explain the general nature of the Tattvas. The
different phases of their manifestation on all the planes of life will be taken
up in their proper places.
-
The
reader might he put in mind of the phenomena of the telephone, and still
better those of the photophone. It is clear that the rays which transmit
sound in the latter are not the visual
rays of the sun. They are surely audible
rays. The former are the vibrations of the luminiferous
ether. What are the latter The vibrations, of course, of the sonoriferous
ether, the constituent of the lndian Prâna, which is called
Âkâsha
II.
EVOLUTION
IT will be
very interesting to trace, according to the theory of the Tattvas, the
development of man, and the formation
of the world.
The
Tattvas, as we have already seen, are the modifications of Svara. Regarding
Svara, we find in our book:
“In the
Svara are the Vedas and the Shâstras, and in the Svara is music. All the world
is in the Svara; Svara is the spirit itself.”
The proper
translation of the word Svara is the
current
of life-wave.
It is that wavy motion which is the cause of the evolution of cosmic undifferentiated
matter into the differentiated universe, and the involution of this into the
primary state of non-differentiation, and so on, in and out, for ever and ever.
Whence does this motion come? This motion is the spirit itself. The word Atmâ
used in the book, itself carries the idea of eternal motion, coming as it does
from the root "at", eternal motion; and it may be
significantly remarked, that the root at is connected with, is, in fact, simply
another form of, the roots ah, breath,
and as, being. All these roots have for their original the sound
produced by the breath of animals. In the Science of Breath the technical
symbol for inspiration is sa, and for expiration ha. It is easy to see how these symbols are
connected with the roots as and ah.
The current of the life-wave spoken of above is technically called
Hansachasa, i.e., the motion of ha
and sa. The word Hansa, which is taken to mean God, and is made so
much of in many Sanskrit works, is only
a symbolic representation of the two eternal processes of life — ha
and sa.
The
primeval current of the life-wave is, then, the same which in man assumes the
form of inspiratory and expiratory motion of the lungs, and this is the
all-pervading source of the evolution and the involution of the universe;
The book
goes on:
“It is
the Svara that has given form to the
first accumulations of the divisions of the universe; the Svara causes
involution and evolution; the Svara is God Himself or more properly the Great
Power (Maheshvara).”
The Svara
is the manifestation of the impression on matter of that power which in man is
known to us as the power which knows itself. It is to be understood that the
action of this power never ceases. It is ever at work, and evolution and
involution are the very necessity of its unchangeable existence.
The Svara
has two different states. The one is known on the physical plane of life as the
sun-breath, the other as the moon-breath. I shall, however, at the present
stage of evolution designate them as positive and negative respectively. The
period during which this current comes back to the point whence it started is
known as the day and night of Parabrahman. The positive or evolutionary period
is known as the day of Parabrahman; the negative or involutionary portion is
known as the night of Parabrahman. These nights and days follow each other
without break. The sub-divisions of this period comprehend all the phases of
existence, and it is therefore necessary to give here the scale of time
according to the Hindu Shâstras.
I shall
begin with a Truti as the least division of time.
THE
DIVISIONS OF TIME
26 2/3 Trutisl = 1
Nimesha = 8/45
second.
18 Nimeshas = 1 Kâshtha =
3 1/5 seconds = 8 Vipalas.
30
Kâshtha =1 Kala = 1 3/5 minutes = 4
Palas.
30
Kalâ = 1 Mah
ûrta
= 48 minutes = 2 Ghâris.
30
Mahûtrtas
= 1 day and night = 24 hours = 6o Ghâris.
30
days and nights and odd hours = 1 Pitrya day and night = 1 month and odd
hours.
12
months = 1 Daiva day and night = I year = 365 days, 5hr, 30’, 31”.
365
Daiva days and nights = 1 Daiva year.
4,800
Daiva years 1 Satya Yuga.
3,600
Daiva years = 1 Tretâ Yuga.
2,400
Daiva years = 1 Dvapara Yuga.
I,200
Daiva years = 1 Kali Yuga.
12,000
Daiva years = 1 Chatur Yuga (four Yugas).
12,000
Chatur Yugas = 1 Daiva Yuga.
2,000
Daiva Yugas = 1 day and night of Brahmâ.
365
Brahmic days and nights = 1 year of Brabmâ.
71
Daiva Vugas = 1 Manvantara.
12,000
Brahmic years = 1 Chatur Yuga of Brahmâ and so on.
200
Yugas of Brahrnâ = 1 day and night of Parabrahman.
These days
and nights follow each other in eternal succession, and hence eternal evolution
and involution.
We have
thus five sets of days and nights. 1, Parabrahmic; 2, Brahmic; 3, Daiva; 4, Pitrya; 5, Manuslia. A sixth
is the Manvantaric day, and the Manvantaric night (Pralaya).
The days
and nights of Parabrahman follow each other without beginning or end. The night
(the negative period) and the day (the positive period) both merge into the
Sushumnâ (the conjunctive period) and emerge into the other. And so do the
other days and nights. The days all through this division are sacred to the
positive, the hotter current, and the nights to the negative, the cooler
current. The impressions of names and forms, and the power of producing an
impression, lie in the positive phase of existence. Receptivity is given birth
to by the negative current.
After
being subjected to the negative phase of Parabrahman, Prakriti, which follows
Parabrahman like a shadow, has been saturated with evolutionary receptivity; as
the hotter current sets in, changes are printed upon it, and it appears in changed forms. The
first imprint which the evolutionary positive current leaves upon Praktiti is
known as Âkâsha.
Then, by and by, come into existence the remaining ethers. These modifications
of Prakriti are the ethers of the first stage.
Into these
five ethers, as now constituting the objective plane, works on the current of
the Great Breath. A further development takes place. Different centres come into
existence. The Âkâsha
throws them into a form which gives room for locomotion. With the beginning of
the Vâyu Tattva these elementary ethers are thrown into the form of spheres.
This was the beginning of formation, or
what may also be called solidification.
These
spheres are our Brahmândas. In them the ethers assume a secondary development.
The so-called division into five takes place. Well, but in this Brahmic sphere
in which the new ethers have good room for
locomotion, the Tejas Tattva now comes
into play, and then the Apas Tattva. Every tattvic quality is generated into,
and preserved in, these spheres by these currents. With the Apas the formation
is complete. In process of time we have a centre and an atmosphere. This sphere
is the self-conscious universe.
In this
sphere, according to the same process, a third ethereal state comes into
existence. In the cooler atmosphere removed from the centre another class of
centres comes into existence. These divide the Brahrnic state of matter into two
different states. After this comes into existence another state of matter whose
centres bear the name of Devas or suns.
We have
thus four states of subtle matter in the universe.
1. Prâna, life
matter, with the Sun for centre.
2. Manas, mental
matter, with the Manu for centre.
3. Vijñâna,
psychic matter, with Brahmâ for centre.
4.
Ananda, spiritual matter, with Parabrahman as the infinite substratum.
Every
higher state is positive with regard to the lower one, and every lower one is
given birth to by a composition of the positive and negative phase of the
higher.
1.
Prâna has to do with three sets of days and nights in the above division of
time.
(a)
Our ordinary days and nights.
(b)
The bright and dark half of the month which are called the Pitrya day
and night.
(c)
The northern and southern halves of the year, the day and night of
the Devas.
These
three nights acting upon earth-matter impart to it the receptivity of the cool,
negative shady phase of life-matter. The respective days coming in after, these
nights imprint themselves upon it. The earth herself thus becomes a living
being, having a north pole, in which a central force draws the needle towards
itself and a south pole in which is centred a force which is, so to say, the
shade of the north polar centre. It has also always the solar force centred in
the eastern half, and the lunar — the shade of the former — centred in the
western half.
These
centres come, in fact, into existence even before the earth is manifested on the
gross plane. So also do the centres of other planets come into existence. As the
sun presents himself to the Manu there come into existence two states of the
matter in which the sun lives and moves — the positive and the negative. As
the solar Prâna, after having been for some time subjected to the negative
shady state, is subjected in its revolutionary course to the source of its
positive phase, Manu, the figure of Manu is imprinted upon it. This Manu is, in
fact, the universal mind, and all the planets with their inhabitants are the
phases of his existence. Of this, however, more hereafter. At present we see
that earth-life or Terrestrial Prâna has four centres of force.
The
positive phase acting upon it when it has been cooled by the negative current
imprints itself upon it, and earth-life in various forms comes into existence. The essays on Prâna will explain this more
clearly.
2.
Manas has to do with Manu. The suns revolve round these centres with the
whole of their atmospheres of Prâna. This system gives birth to the Lokas or
spheres of life, of which the planets are one class.
These
Lokas have been enumerated by Vyâsa in his commentary on the Yogashâstra
(Pâda iii. Sûtra 26).
The
aphorism runs thus:
“By
meditation upon the sun is obtained a knowledge of the physical creation.”
On this
says the revered commentator:
“There
are seven Lokas (spheres of existence).”
1. Bhûrloka extends to the Meru.
2. Antarikshaloka extends from the surface of the Meru to the Dhruva, the
pole-star, and contains the planets, the Nakshatras, and the stars.
3. Svarloka lies beyond, is fivefold and sacred to Mahendra.
4. Maharloka,
sacred to Prajâpati.
5. Janaloka,
sacred to Brahmâ.
6. Taparloka,
sacred to Brahmâ.
7. Satyaloka,
sacred to Brahrnâ.
It is not
my purpose to try at present to explain the meaning of these Lokas. It is
sufficient for my present purpose to say that the planets, the stars, the lunar
mansions are all impressions of Manu, just as the organisms of the earth are
impressions of the sun. The solar Prâna is prepared for this impression during
the Manvantaric night.
Similarly
Vijñâna has to do with the nights and days of Brahmâ, and Ananda with those
of Parabrahman.
It will
thus be seen that the whoie process of creation, on whatever plane of life, is
performed most naturally by the five Tattvas in their double modifications, the
positive and negative. There is nothing in the universe which the Universal
Tattvic Law of Breath does not comprehend.
After
this very brief exposition of the theory of tattvic evolution comes a series of
Essays, taking up all the subtle states of matter one by one, and describing
more in detail the working of the tattvic law in those planes, and also the
manifestations of these planes of life in humanity.
III.
THE
MUTUAL RELATION OF THE TATTVAS
AND
OF THE PRINCIPLES.
The Âkâsha
is the most important of all the Tattvas. It must, as a matter of course,
precede and follow every change of state on every plane of life. Without this
there can be no manifestation or cessation of forms. It is out of Âkâsha that every form comes, and it is in Âkâsha that every form lives. The Âkâsha
is full of forms in their potential state. It intervenes between every two of
the five Tattvas, and between every two of the five principles.
The
evolution of the Tattvas is always part of the evolution of a certain definite
form. Thus the manifestation of the primary Tattvas is with the definite aim of
giving what we may call a body, a prâkritic form, to the Îshvara. In the
bosom of the Infinite Parabrahman there are hidden innumerable such centres.
One centre takes under its influence a certain portion of the Infinite, and
there we find first of all coming into existence the Akâsha Tattva. The extent
of this Âkâsha
limifs the extent of the universe, and out of it the Îshvara is to come. To
this end out of this Âkâsha
comes the Vayu Tattva. This pervades the whole universe and has a certain
centre which serves to keep the whole expanse together, and as one whole
separate from other universes (Brahmândas).
It has
been mentioned, and further on will be more clearly explained, that every
Tattva has a positive and a negative phase. It is also evident on the analogy
of the sun that places more distant from the centre are always negative to
those which are nearer. We might say that they are cooler than these, as it
will be seen further on that heat is not peculiar to the sun only, but that all
the higher centres have a greater amount of heat than even the sun itself.
Well,
then, in this Brahmic sphere of Vâyu, except for some space near the
Parabrahmic Âkâsha,
every atom of the Vâyu is reacted upon by an opposite force. The more distant
and therefore the cooler one reacts upon the nearer and therefore the hotter.
The equal and opposite vibrations of the same force cancel each other, and both
together pass into the âkâshic state. Thus, while some of this space remains
filled up by the Brahmic Vâyu on account of the constant outflow of this
Tattva from the Parabrahmic Âkâsha,
the remainder is rapidly turned into Âkâsha.
This Âkâsha
is the mother of the Brahmic Agni Tattva. The Agni Tattva working similarly
gives birth through another Âkâsha
to the Apas, and this similarly to the Prithivi. This Brahmic Prithivi thus
contains the qualities of all the preceding Tattvas besides a fifth one of its
own.
The first
stage of the universe, the ocean of psychic matter, has now come into existence
in its entirety. This matter is, of course, very, very fine, and there is
absolutely no grossness in it as compared with the matter of the fifth plane.
In this ocean shines the intelligence of Îshvara, and this ocean, with
everything that might be manifest in it, is the self-conscious universe.
In this
psychic ocean, as before, the more distant atoms are negative to the nearer
ones. Hence, except a certain space which remains filled with the psychic
Prithivi on account of the constant supply of this element from above, the rest
begins to change into an Âkâsha.
This second Âkâsha
is full of what are called Manus in their potential state. The Manus are so
many groups of certain mental forms, the ideas of the various genera and
species of life to appear further on. We have to do
with one of these.
Impelled
by the evolutionary current of the Great Breath, Manu comes out of this Âkâsha,
in the same way as Brahmâ did out of the Parabrahmic Âkâsha.
First and uppermost in the mental sphere is the Vâyu, and then in regular
order the Tejas, the Apas, and the Prithiivi. This mental matter follows the
same laws and similarly begins to pass into the third âkâshic state, which is
full of innumerable suns. They come out in the same way, and begin to work on a
similar plan which will be better understood here than higher up.
Everybody
can here test for himself that the more distant portions of the solar system
are cooler than the nearer ones. Every little atom of Prâna is comparatively
cooler than the next one towards the sun from itself. Hence equal and opposite
vibrations cancel each other. Leaving, therefore, a certain space near the sun
as always filled up with the Tattvas of Prâna, which are there being
constantly supplied from the sun, the rest of the Prâna passes into the âkâshic
state.
It might
be noted down here that the whole of this Prâna is made up of innumerable
little points. Of these points
I shall in future speak as Trutis, and might say here that it is these
Trutis which appear on the terrestrial plane as atoms (Anu or Paramnânu). They
might be spoken of as solar atoms. These solar atoms are of various classes
according to the prevalence of one or more of the constituent Tattvas.
Every
point of Prâna is a perfect picture of the whole ocean. Every other point is
represented in every point. Every atom has, therefore, for its constituents,
all the four Tattvas, in varying proportions according to its position in
respect of others. The different classes of these solar atoms appear on the
terrestrial plane as the various elements of chemistry.
The
spectrum of every terrestrial element reveals the colour or colours of the
prevalent Tattva or Tattvas of a solar atom of that substance. The greater the
heat to which any substance is subjected the nearer does the element approach
its solar state. Heat destroys for the time being the terrestrial coatings of
the solar atoms.
The
spectrum of sodium thus shows the presence of the yellow Prithivi, that of
lithium, the red Agni, and the yellow Prithivi, that of caesium, the red Agni,
the green admixture, the yellow Prithivi, and the blue Vâyu. Rubidium shows
red, orange, yellow, green and blue, i.e.,
the Agni, Prithivi and Agni, Prithivi, Vâyu and Prithivi, and Vâyu. These
classes of solar atoms which all together make up the wide expanse of the solar
Prâna, pass into the âkâshic state. While the sun keeps up a constant supply
of these atoms, those that are passing into the âkâshic state pass on the
other side into the planetary Vâyu. Certain measured portions of the solar Âkâsha
naturally separate themselves from others, according to the differing creation
which is to appear in those portions. These portions of Âkâsha are called
Lokas. The earth itself is a Loka called the Bhûrloka. I shall take up the
earth for further illustration of the law.
That
portion of the solar Âkâsha
which is the immediate mother of the earth, first gives birth to the
terrestrial Vâyu. Every element is now in the state of the Vâyu Tattva, which
may now be called gaseous. The Vâyu Tattva is spherical in shape, and thus the
gaseous planet bears similar outlines. The centre of this gaseous sphere keeps
together round itself the whole expanse of gas. As soon as this gaseous sphere
comes into existence, it is subjected to the following influences among others.
1. The
superposed influence of the solar heat.
2. The internal
influence of the more distant atoms on the nearer ones and vice
versa.
The
first influence has a double effect upon the gaseous sphere. It imparts more
heat to the nearer hemisphere than to the more distant one. The superficial air
of the nearer hemisphere having contracted a certain amount of solar energy,
rises towards the sun. Cooler air from below takes its place. But where does
the superficial air go? It cannot pass beyond the limit of the terrestrial
sphere, which is surrounded by the solar Âkâsha,
through which comes a supply from the solar Prâna. It, therefore, begins to
move in a circle, and thus a rotatory motion is established in the sphere. This
is the origin of the earth’s rotation upon its axis.
Again,
as a certain amount of the solar energy is imparted to the gaseous terrestrial
sphere, the impulse of the upward motion reaches the centre itself. That centre
itself, therefore, and along with it the whole sphere, moves towards the sun.
It cannot, however, go on in this direction, for a nearer approach would
destroy that balance of forces which gives the earth its peculiarities. A Loka
which is nearer to the sun than our planet cannot have the same conditions of
life. Hence, while the sun draws the earth towards himself, those laws of life
which have given it a constitution, by which for ages it must roll on, keep it
in the sphere they have assigned to it. Two forces thus come into existence.
Drawn by one the earth would go towards the sun; checked by the other it must
remain where it is. These are tile centrifugal and the centripetal forces) and
their action results in giving the earth its annual revolution.
Secondly,
the internal action of the gaseous atoms upon each other ends in the change of
the whole gaseous sphere, except the upper portion, into the âkâshic state.
This âkâshic state gives birth to the igneous (pertaining to the Agni Tattva)
state of terrestrial matter. This changes similarly into the Apas, and this
again into the Prithivi.
The same
process obtains in tile changes of matter with which we are now familiar. An
example will better illustrate the whole law.
Take ice.
This is solid, or what the Science of Breath would call in the state of
Prithivi. One quality of the Prithivi Tattva, the reader will remember, is
cohesive resistance. Let us apply heat to this ice. This heat as it passes into
the ice is indicated by the thermometer. When the temperature rises to 78° the
ice changes its state. But the thermometer no longer indicates the same amount
of heat; 78° of heat have become latent.
Let us
now apply 536° of heat to a pound of boiling water. As is generally known,
this great quantity of heat becomes latent while the water passes into the
gaseous state.
Now, let
us follow the reverse process. To gaseous water let us apply a certain amount
of cold. When this cold becomes sufficient to entirely counteract the heat
which keeps it in the gaseous state, the vapour passes into the âkâshic state, and from thence into the Tejas state. It
is not necessary that the whole of the vapour should at once pass into the next state. The change is gradual. As the cold is
gradually passing into the vapour, the Tejas modification is gradually
appearing out of, and through the intervention of, the Âkâsha, into which it had passed during latency. This is being indicated on
the thermometer. When the whole has passed into the igneous state, and the
thermometer has indicated 536°, the second Âkâsha comes into existence. Out of this second Âkâsha comes the liquid state at the same temperature, the whole heat having
again passed into the âkâshic state, and therefore is no longer indicated by the thermometer.
When
cold is applied to this liquid, heat again begins to come out, and when it
reaches 78°, this heat having come out of and through the Âkâsha
into which it had passed, the whole liquid has passed into the igneous state.
Here it again begins to pass into the Âkâshic
state. The thermometer begins to fall down, and out of this Âkâsha
begins to come the Prithivi state of water—ice.
Thus
we see that the heat which is given out by
the influence of cold passes into the âkâshic
state, which becomes the substratum of a higher phase, and the heat which is absorbed
passes into another âkâshic state, which becomes the substratum of a
lower phase.
It
is in this way that the terrestrial gaseous sphere changes into its present
state. The experiment described above, points out many important truths
about the relation of these Tattvas to each other.
First of
all it explains that very important assertion of the Science of Breath which
says that every succeeding tattvic state has the qualities of all the foregoing
tattvic states. Thus we see that as the gaseous state of water is being acted
upon by cold, the latent heat of steam is being cancelled and passing into the
âkâshic state. This cannot but be the case, since equal and opposite
vibrations of the same force always cancel each other, and the result is the Âkâsha.
Out of this comes the Tejas state of
matter. This is that state in which the latent heat of steam becomes patent. It
will be observed this state has no permanence. The Tejas form of water, as
indeed of any other substance, cannot exist for any length of tune, because the
major part of terrestrial matter is in the lower and therefore more negative
states of Apas and Prithivi, and whenever for any cause any substance passes
into the Tejas state, the surrounding objects begin at once to react upon it
with such strength as at once to force it into the next âkâshic state. Those
things which now live in the normal state of the Apas or the Prithivi find it
quite against the laws of their existence to remain, except under external influence,
in the Tejas (igneous) state. Thus an atom of gaseous water before passing into
the liquid state has already remained in the three states, the âkâshic, the
gaseous, and the Tejas. It must, therefore, have all the qualities of the three
Tattvas, and so it no doubt has. Cohesive resistance is only wanted, and that
is the quality of the Prithivi Tattva.
Now when
this atom of liquid water passes into the icy state, what do we see? All the
states which have preceded must again show themselves. Cold will cancel the
latent heat of the liquid state, and the âkâshic state will come out. Out of
this âkâshic state is sure to come the gaseous state. This gaseous (Vâyava) state is evidenced by the gyrations and other
motions which are set up in the body of the liquid by the mere application of
the cold. The motion, however, is not of very long duration, and as they are
ceasing (passing into the âkâshic state) the Tejas state is coming out. This,
too, however, is not of long duration, and as this is passing into the âkâshic
state, the ice is coming into existence.
It
will ‘be easy to see that all the four stales
of terrestrial matter exist in our sphere. The gaseous (Vâyava) is there
in what we now call the atmosphere; the igneous (Tejas) is the normal
temperature of earth life; the liquid (Apas) is the ocean; the solid (Parthiva)
is the terra firma. None of these
states, however, exists quite isolated from the other. Each is constantly
invading the domain of the other, and thus it is difficult to find any portion
of space filled up only with matter in one state. The two adjacent Tattvas are
found intermixed with each other to a greater extent than those that are
removed from each other by an intermediate state. Thus Prithivi will be found
mixed up to a greater extent with water than with Agni and Vâyu, Apas with
Agni than with Vâyu, and Vâyu with Agni more than with any other. It would
thus appear from the above, according to the science of Tattvas, that the flame
and other luminous bodies on earth are not in the terrestrial
Tejas (igneous) state. They are in or near the solar state of matter.
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