Ramanuja-mata-saara-sangrah part 3

Srishti prakaara

In the earlier posts, it was discussed how 11 indriyas are born and how the indriyas of the jeevatma are transferred to the next births. Thus Vasana and Ruchi samskaara are transferred along with the indriyas. The question may arise that how do the indriyas travel with the jeevatma when they don’t have body i.e. after death and before a new birth? The acharya educates us here.

The Indriyas are of Anu parinaama (extremely minute size). Each Indriya resides at its respective organ. Like Chakshu Indriya resides in the eyes, Tvak indriyas reside all through the body. Manas is again four-fold: Manas, Buddhi, ahankaara, and Chitta. Buddhi, or Intelligence, is gyaana (dharma-bhoota gyaana), which is used for contemplation by the aatma.

Vaayu is of five types: Prana, Apana etc. Prana is the superiormost vaayu. (It is brought here to assert that Prana is also an achetan object and should not be confused with aatma).

Tanmaatra (तन्मात्र)

From Taamasa Ahankaara, 5 tanmaatra and 5 Bhootas are born. Tanmaatra is a primitive stage form (very minute form) of Bhoota. The pancha bhootas are: Akaasha (space), Vayu (air), Agni (fire), Aapah (water) and Prithvi (Soil). Thus, the corresponding tanmaatras are also five-fold: Shabd, tanmaatra, Sparsha tanmaatra, Rupa tanmaatra, Rasa tanmaatra and Gandha tanmaatra.

Krama

From Taamasa ahankaara is born Shabd Tanmaatra. From Shabd tanmaatra comes Shabda Bhoota. If we take the milk as Taamasa ahankaara and curd as Bhoota, then the stage between the milk and the curd (half-fermented) can be understood as tanmaatra.

This srishti Krama is taken from Vedas.

Till now, we have understood that Shabd tanmaatra is born from Taamasa ahankaara and from Shabd tanmaatra is born Shabd bhoota.

Vedas say: akasad vayuh, vayor agnih, agner apah, adbhyah prthivi, prthivya osadhayah (Tait. 2.1.1)

From aakaasha is born vayu, From Vayu is born agni and in same sequence comes aapa: (jala/water) and prithvi (soil).

Regarding the shrishti krama, there are two opinions of the acharyas:

Opinion 1:

1. From Shabd Tanmaatra is born Aakaash bhoota and Sparsh tanmaatra.

2. From Sparsha tanmaatra is born Vayu bhoota and Rupa tanmaatra.

3. From Rupa tanmaatra is born Agni bhoota and Rasa tanmaatra.

4. From rasa tanmaatra is born aap: (jala) and gandha tanmaatra.

5. From gandha tanmaatra is born Prithvi bhoota.

Opinion 2:

This is the opinion of the majority of acharyas.

From Shabd Tanmaatra is born Aakaash bhoota.

From Aakaash bhoota is born sparsh tanmaatra.

From sparsh tanmaatra is born Vayu Bhootam.

From Vayu Bhootam is born Rupa tanmaatra.

From Rupa tanmaatra is born Agni bhoota.

From Agni bhoota is born Rasa tanmaatra.

From Rasa tanmaatra is born aap: (jala).

From Aap: is born gandha tanmaatra.

From gandha tanmaatra is born Prithvi Bhoota.

NOTE:
The tanmaatra of aakaasha is called shabd tanmaatra, as its guna is shabd. (Shabd gunakam aakaasham). The tanmaatra shouldn’t be confused with guna (quality). Tanmaatra is a dravya, not a guna.

Also, There is the concept of aavarana krama. When the next tanmaatra is born from the previous tanmaatra or bhoota, the previous bhoota is covered by its previous tanmaatra/bhoota. Just like a plant is born from a seed with soil covering.

But these are advanced concepts and need not be discussed here.