Audio
UNIVERSE AND MAN
Tablet One
Koshas and
Lokas
<1>The universe has been divided into seven
levels, which are called "worlds" (lokas).
These seven worlds contain the whole universe. <2>The first
level is the physical or manifested world. The second is the pranic
level or outgoing
energy which coordinates
the universal activities (and are those activities). The third is
the lower mental world which contains the thoughts of the manifested
universe, including how to manage it (earthly logic).
<3>The fourth has the higher thoughts and willpower which
attract higher ideals. The fifth is beyond thought and is the
complete realization of the manifested world. The sixth is the state
of complete control of the
three gunas
but still active in the manifested world, <4>and the seventh
is the state of withdrawal (satayaloka).
<5>The human body,
mind, and
Soul (individual) also consists of seven stages or layers
corresponding to the seven layers of the universe. <6>The
first five of these layers are called sheaths or koshas. That is, in
these first five koshas man is bound by universal forces and can
only function in each layer according to that sheath and its
propensities.
<7>The last two states in the human are where
he becomes free of the bondage of these sheaths and no longer needs
them. He reaches the goal.
<8>The crudest of these sheaths is the
physical body, as the crudest world is the manifested world.
<9>The manifested universe is nothing more
than consciousness crudified with the power of the
tama guna. <10>Through
this
crudifying
process (centripetal
force), the five elements, namely ethereal, aerial, luminous,
liquid, and solid factors1
are created. The manifested universe consists of these five
elements.
<11>Also the human body or the grossest
layers of human existence consist of the same five elements. <12>Each
cell in the body is an independent entity, existing in a collective
effort for the well-being of the whole of the body and
Soul.
<13>The active force, the
life-force, or
mutative force (raja
guna) is the second layer or sheath in the human. This sheath,
which is prana (life-force),
is the coordinator and controller of the contacts between different
organs and the whole body to the
mind. <14>The
prana, which is outgoing
energy of the Soul (raja
guna), has no knowledge or power of decision-making, but follows
the orders given from the intelligent part of the
mind (satva
guna).
<15>That is why it can be used or misused
according to the level of consciousness of the user. It is the
life-force in the
human.
<16>One form of prana
(energy) is electricity.
It can only be found where the ether is. <17>Ether is the
memory part of the brain. Without ether,
prana cannot be verified
and also no memory will remain.
<18>The outgoing
prana
(life-force) from
the Soul becomes heedless desire (passion). <19>The
ingoing
prana to the Soul becomes
will (controller of desires).
<20>Also in the universe, as the
crudifying power of
the
tama guna makes the
manifested world or the first loka (world), so the second world is
the
prana
(mutative force,
raja guna) in the
universe, or the
life-force (the
breath
of life). Through
prana (mutative
force), all activities are done and the coordination (through
the satva guna,
intelligence) in
the universe is achieved. <21>Without
prana, there would be no life and no activities.
<22>The
prana
is everywhere in the universe in many different forms. It is mixed
with ether and functions through it. <23>The ether in the
universe is the memory of the universe or the
Akashic Records.
<24>These two, the physical sheath and pranic
sheath, make up the external part of man. <25>Because there
is nothing external for the universe (God),
so there is no sheath for It, but only worlds.
______________________________
1 - Read Appendix II.
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