Sanskrit Letters

The following pages begins the lists of Sanskrit Letters and their association to the Tattvas. It is said in the Saivite Tradition that the 36 Tattvas are stages of manifestation - from Shiva to the five elements, also known as the basic building blocks of the universe. These stages are also described as successions that reach grosser evolutes of consciousness. Creation is not understood as a created thing outside of Shiva but an emanation of Himself. The clarity is in the correlations. The tattvas represent that which is in us as the metaphorical translation of As Above, So Below. As Shiva has the emanations of the universe within, we are a reflection and representative of that notion.

Tattvas are primary principles, elements, states or categories of existence. They are a dynamic movement of Shiva who constantly creates, sustains and absorbs forms outward and back into himself, sometimes described as an emanational process. The word 'tattva' implies "that-ness" or "essential nature." The 36 tattvas are divided into three groups: First are the five pure tattvas. Second are the seven suddha-asuddha (pure-impure) tattvas. Third are the 24 impure tattvas (asuddha).

The letters are listed here in reverse order or back to Shiva, starting at Tattva 36 - 1.This first group is the Ka Varga Class of Letters. The presiding deity is Brahmi. These are the five gross elements. The Earth Tattva is found in Bhuloka or "earth plane" and is associated with the muladhara chakra, whereas the other four elements are found in what is called asuddha maya: magnetic-gross energy. This plane is called Bhuvarloka -"plane of the atmosphere." Only the Earth element is listed in the first sphere which is called nivrittikal, where the conscious, subconscious, and sub-subconscious, the interrelated magnetic forces between people, and people and their possessions exist. The other four are in Pratishthakala, the realm of the intellect and instinct.

Ka Varga: ka, kha, ga, gha, na
	Tattva 36. Earth Tattva - Prithivi: solids. The earth tattva is found in the earth plane (Bhuloka). This is the first world, where interrelated magnetic forces happen between people and their possessions. It is the place of the gross body or annamaya kosa, the food made sheath, and the muladhara chakra. There is a plane above it, with no Tattvas. This plane is called Pretaloka, world of the departed, earth-bound souls. It is an astral duplicate of Bhuloka. The sphere of Nivrittikala is also the place of the lower mind. The conscious, subconscious and sub-subconscious minds are said to be here. There are also 7 hellish planes below it. The two surrounding planes suggest realms that might be considered heaven and hell in other systems. In Saivism it is a Netherworld of lower consciousness.
	Tattva 35. Water Tattva - Ap: liquids. The next four tattvas find themselves on the other side of this gap between earth and the elements. They are no longer a matter of solids. Internal consciousness has become intellect and instinct. The plane changes from earth-bound souls to a world of ancestors in the plane of the atmosphere. For the Saivite this world of antarloka is the subtle or astral plane where the cycle of reincarnation (samsara) takes place. The svadhishthana (one's own base) chakra, meaing 'reason' is the chakra of its residence.
	Tattva 34. Fire Tattva - Agni: fire. (See tattva 35)
	Tattva 33. Air Tattva - Vaya: air or gas. (See tattva 35)
	Tattva 32. Ether Tatva - Akasha: space. (See tattva 35)

References:
Riviere, J. Marques, Tantrik Yoga: Hindu and Tibetan, Book Faith India, Delhi
Singh, Jaideva, "Siva Sutras" (1979) Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited
Subramuniyaswami, Satguru Sivaya, "Dancing With Siva" (1993) Himalayan Academy

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