Cakra चक्र lev 1 : Tattva et Tanmatra

Cakra चक्र : Tattva et Tanmatra

TATTVA and TANMATRA

In Tantric iconography, Cakra चक्र , as they are progressively discovered, reveal many symbols which serve as supports for visualization in order to experience the cosmic forces they represent. So, each Cakra has its own personality regarding the plane of consciousness it belongs to, and holds within itself qualities which are inherent to this plane.

– The TATTVA (or pancha mahābhūta) are the five elements, ranging from the more gross to the more subtle. According to the Vedantic "quintuplication" theory, each equal proportion of these elements constitutes 1/5th of the phenomenal matter.

• Earth - Pṛthivī
  heavy, cold, nourishing element
  
• Water - āpas (Jala)
  fast-moving, flowing, cold element
  
• Fire - agni
  fast-moving, hot, sharp and penetrating element
  
• Air - vāyu (pawan)
  light, mobile, dry, cold and unstable element
  
• Ether - ākāśa
  "mentalization", expanding, suspending element
  
  
  Their assignment
  
  
  • Mūlādhāra - Pṛthivī
    
  • Svādhiṣṭhāna - āpas
    
  • Maṇipūra - agni
    
  • Anāhata - vāyu
    
  • Viśuddha - ākāśa
    
  • Ājñā - Manas मनस् the mind considered as the 6th element
    
  • Sahasrāra - Beyond No element as this chakra is beyond incarnation
    
    
    

– The TANMATRA
represent the Jñānendriya ज्ञानेन्द्रिय or organs of knowledge, which are nothing else but the five senses. They are considered as the tools of knowledge, because they can be directed toward the outside word and bring information back. But more importantly, they can be used to transcend the psychic planes and can be collected inwardly.

• Smell - gandha
  
• Taste - rasa
  
• Sight - rūpa (appearance of the form)
  
• Touch - Sparśa
  
• Sound - Śabda
  
  
  Their assignment
  Mūlādhāra - gandha
  Svādhiṣṭhāna - rasa
  Maṇipūra - rūpa
  Anāhata - Sparśa
  Viśuddha - Śabda
  Ājñā - manas the mind considered as the 6th element
  Sahasrāra - beyond
  

Summary

Jaya Yogācārya

Translated by Stéphanie BOSCO
©Centre Jaya de Yoga Vedanta La Réunion