Tattva(s)
The essential principle underlying each plane or stage of manifestation. A Sanskrit term meaning literally “thatness,” but with the general significance of “reality,” “truth,” “true state,” “true principle,” “essential nature,” etc. The various schools of Indian philosophy disagree about the number of tattvas, from only two (Advaita), to thirty-six (Kashmir ®aivism). Helena P. Blavatsky claims that there are, according to esoteric teaching, seven. She points out that there are seven forms of Prak¬ITI (matter-primordial and elementary) and since the tattvas are simply the substratum of these forces, then it is logical to assume that there are seven tattvas in nature (CW XII:605).
According to Blavatsky the seven tattvas are:
- (1) šdi Tattva, the primordial universal force, issuing at the beginning of manifestation or creative period.
- (2) Anup€daka Tattva, the first differentiation on the plane of being, being an ideal one since it derives from something higher than itself.
- (3) šk€a Tattva, the force of the Third Logos; the creative force in the already manifested universe.
- (4) V€yu Tattva, the airy plane where substance is gaseous.
- (5) Taijasa Tattva, the “fiery” plane or plane of our atmosphere.
- (6) špas Tattva, “watery” or liquid substance or force.
- (7) Pithiv… Tattva, solid “earthly” substance; the terrestrial spirit or force — the lowest of all. (CW XII:612)
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