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 of the unqualified source (spanda of 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 through the stream (udaya) is the experience of “not this, not that” (anubhava of 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 state (jagrat avasthā).  But it’s a misnomer, because it’s actually a “dream within a dream.”
  2. Emotion (rajas) is the dream state (svapna avasthā).
  3. Mind (sattva) is the lucid state (spaṣṭa avasthā).  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 state (suṣupti avasthā), which is to be awakened (budhya). 7  Then it’s the awakened state (buddha avasthā).
  5. Consciousness (cit) is the witness state (sākṣī avasthā).
  6. Bliss (ānanda) is the divine state (daiva avasthā).
  7. Existence (sat) is the fourth state (turīya avasthā).  Here, it differs from that of the of the Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad 8 because it isn’t 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 state (śarīra avasthā).
  2. The oversoul (īśvara) is the union state (yoga avasthā).
  3. Spirit (puruṣa) is the sheath state (kośa avasthā).

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