Tattva

Tattva · tat-tva, “thatness, the true principle”

Buddhi has other meanings too: see all meanings of Buddhi.

Grammar: neuter noun, from tat (that) with the suffix -tva (-ness): “thatness”, the true nature of a thing.

Meaning: a true principle of existence, one of the levels from the highest Śakti down to the earth, of which the worlds and the body are made; in the rites, these principles are placed (nyāsa) on the body, the liṅga and the temple.

In the scriptures: in the chapters of the Agni Purāṇa on pratishṭhā (installation), which Parameśvara teaches Skanda, the tattvas are placed and worshipped at each step.

  • The three tattvas: in the adhivāsana of a Śiva-liṅga, the ācārya contemplates three tattvas on his own body: the Śiva-tattva at the forehead, the Vidyā-tattva at the shoulders and the Ātma-tattva at the feet. Their lords are Rudra for the Śiva-tattva, Nārāyaṇa for the Vidyā-tattva, and Brahmā and the other devatās for the Ātma-tattva, and they are worshipped with their own name-mantras (Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 96).
  • The thirty-six tattvas: the ācārya then establishes the thirty-six tattvas, from Śakti down to Bhūmi (earth), with their lords, and divides them with flower-garlands into three parts. The first part is square, the second eight-cornered and the third round, and in the order of creation their lords are Brahmā, Vishṇu and Śiva. Or the nyāsa is done of the three causal tattvas that pervade everything. In order, thirty-five, eight, five and the three-mūrti forms are taught as their tattvas. Only an indication of their mantras is given: oṃ haṃ śakti-tattvāya namaḥ for the tattva, oṃ haṃ śakti-tattvādhipāya namaḥ for its lord, and so on. In the kuṇḍa the tattva, the tattveśvara, the mūrti and the mūrtīśvara are worshipped in order with ghee and given tarpaṇa (Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 96).
  • In the pratishṭhā of Śiva: in the pits of the foundation, the tattvas from śakti up to mūrti, or from śakti to śakti, are arranged as a seat and smeared with pāyasa and guggulu; the pit is covered with cloth and protected with the kavaca and astra mantras. Before the liṅga is bathed, the tri-tattva-nyāsa is done after the nyāsa of the six paths. The tattvas are also the seats of the beings: the Sādhyas, rivers, herbs and kshetrapālas rest on the pṛthivī-tattva; the three tattvas ahaṅkāra, buddhi and prakṛti are the place of Brahmā; and the three from the tanmātras up to pradhāna are the places of Vishṇu (Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 97).
  • Sūrya, the prāsāda and the dhvaja: in the pratishṭhā of Sūrya one places the tattvas, Īśvara and the five bhūtas beginning with ākāśa (Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 99). In the pratishṭhā of the prāsāda, the ātivāhika body is placed in the kalaśa, and in it kāla and the rest and the whole group of tattvas up to pṛthvī, with Īśvara (Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 101). In raising the dhvaja, the vidyā-tattva is placed on the staff and the śiva-tattva on the banner. The temple itself is contemplated as the all-pervading form of Śiva, made of all the tattvas, each part of it bearing its own tattvas (Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 102).
  • The worn liṅga: when a worn liṅga is to be replaced, the guru, giving arghya in reverse order, draws out of the liṅga and the piṇḍikā, from the golden noose, the tattvas, their lords and the eight mūrtīśvaras. A liṅga installed by asuras, munis, devas or knowers of tattva must never be moved, even if it is worn or broken (Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 103).

Related terms: Nyāsa · Pratishṭhā · Śakti · Tanmātra · Mūrtīśvara · Prakṛti

Sources

  • Agni Purāṇa, Chapters 96–97, 99, 101–103