A Stream of States

The Razor’s Edge

[Expanding Spheres]
Figure 49: “Expanding Spheres” Configuration

In truth (paramārthatas), the universe (jagat) is merely the vibration (eva the spanda) of the unqualified source (nirguṇa brahman). 1  The unqualified source is the great ocean (mahāsāgara), and the ten strings are an unbroken stream of states (abhinna srotas of avasthās). 2  The stream is the razor’s edge (kṣurasya dhārā). 3  This straight and narrow path is hard to go by.  The ascent (udaya) through the stream is the experience (anubhava) of “not this, not that” (neti neti). 4 5

The Sound-Current

  A: Guṇa B: Avasthā
10 tamas jagrat
9 rajas svapna
8 sattva spaṣṭa
7 jīva suṣupti/buddha
6 cit sākṣī
5 ānanda daiva
4 sat turīya
Table 7.1: Strings and States
  1. Physics (tamas) is the waking (jagrat) state.  But it’s a misnomer, because it’s actually a “dream within a dream.”
  2. Emotion (rajas) is the dream (svapna) state.
  3. Mind (sattva) is the lucid (spaṣṭa) state.  This state is akin to a lucid dream.  The lucid dreamer understands the meaning of dream objects and can control them.  These lower three states comprise the material triad (prākṛta traya). 6
  4. The soul (jīva) is the deep sleep (suṣupti) state, which is to be awakened (budhya). 7  Then it’s the awakened (buddha) state.
  5. Consciousness (cit) is the witness (sākṣī) state.
  6. Bliss (ānanda) is the divine (daiva) state.
  7. Existence (sat) is the fourth (turīya) state.  It’s like that of the Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad 8, except it’s not the origin (mūla).  These upper three states comprise the spiritual triad (pauruṣa traya). 9

This minor heptad (apradhāna saptaka) is the sound-current (śabdasrotas) of transmigration (saṃsāra). 10  It’s states (avasthās) are characterized by impermanence (anitya).  Not because they gain or lose existence, but because they’re subject to change.  Much like steam doesn’t perish when it condenses into water.  Nor does water perish when it freezes as ice.

The Silent Current

  A: Guṇa B: Avasthā
3 prakṛti śarīra
2 īśvara yoga
1 puruṣa kośa
Table 7.2: Strings and States

The remaining states are beyond the fourth state (turīyātīta). 11 

  1. Nature (prakṛti) is the body (śarīra) state.
  2. The oversoul (īśvara) is the union (yoga) state.
  3. Spirit (puruṣa) is the sheath (kośa) state.

This major triad (pradhāna traya) is the silent current (niḥshabdasrotas) of cessation (nirvāṇa). 12  In this context, the term “nirvāṇa” consists of “without” (nis) and “sound” (vāṇa) and means “silence.”

Beyond the Silence

A: Guṇa B: Avasthā
0 (nis) advaita
Table 7.3: Strings and States

Beyond cessation (parinirvāṇa), the non-dual state (advaita avasthā) is indistinguishable, unthinkable, and indescribable isolation (alakṣaṇa, acintya, and avyapadeśya kaivalya). 13  In other words, it’s beyond the mind and must be experienced to be understood.  Thou art that (tat tvam asi). 14 15

References

  1. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Sāṃkhya Sūtras 7.1.
  2. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Sāṃkhya Sūtras 7.2.
  3. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Sāṃkhya Sūtras 7.3.
  4. Vyāsa. Yajur Veda: Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad 2.3.6.
  5. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Sāṃkhya Sūtras 7.4.
  6. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Sāṃkhya Sūtras 7.5.
  7. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Sāṃkhya Sūtras 7.6.
  8. Vyāsa. Atharva Veda: Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad 7.
  9. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Sāṃkhya Sūtras 7.7.
  10. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Sāṃkhya Sūtras 7.8.
  11. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Sāṃkhya Sūtras 7.9.
  12. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Sāṃkhya Sūtras 7.10.
  13. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Sāṃkhya Sūtras 7.11.
  14. Vyāsa. Sāma Veda: Chāndogya Upaniṣad 6.8.7.
  15. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Sāṃkhya Sūtras 7.12.