The 36 Tattvas
Principles of manifestation · Categories of reality
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About this diagram and its wording
Based on the photograph IMG-20250906-WA0003.jpg supplied by the website owner. Short captions are transcribed and lightly edited for readability; they are not verified quotations from Swami Brahmananda. Names and definitions await teaching review. Diacritics distinguish Kalā (action) from Kāla (time), both written “Kala” in the photograph. The original artwork is not reproduced.
Paramashiva
The transcendent · The formless
Consciousness
1. Shiva
Cit Shakti. Absolute consciousness; principle of existence.
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2. Shakti
Ananda Shakti. Absolute consciousness vibrating, Spanda; principle of omnipresence, awareness.
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3. Sadashiva
Iccha Shakti. Absolute limitlessness; principle of willpower.
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4. Ishvara
Jnana Shakti. Absolute knowledge; principle of omniscience.
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5. Shuddha-Vidya
Kriya Shakti. Absolute capacity to act; principle of omnipotence.
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Maya
6. Maya
Maya Shakti. Veil of limitation.
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Limitations
7. Kalā · action
Kriya Shakti. Limited action.
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8. Vidyā
Jnana Shakti. Limited knowledge.
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9. Rāga
Iccha Shakti. Limited willpower.
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10. Kāla · time
Ananda Shakti. Limited time.
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11. Niyati
Cit Shakti. Limited space.
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Subject and experience
12. Purusha
Cit Shakti. Individual subject.
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13. Prakriti
Ananda Shakti. Objective experience.
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Intellect, ego and mind
14. Buddhi
Jnana Shakti. Pure intellect, discernment.
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15. Ahamkara
Kriya Shakti. Ego; ability to enact thoughts.
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16. Manas
Iccha Shakti. Mind functioning; capacity to create thoughts and mental images.
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Jnanendriyas
Powers of perception
17. Shrotra
Hearing.
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18. Tvak
Touching.
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19. Chakshu
Seeing.
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20. Jihva
Tasting.
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21. Ghrana
Smelling.
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Karmendriyas
Powers of action
22. Vak
Speaking.
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23. Pani
Grasping.
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24. Pada
Locomotion.
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25. Payu
Excretion.
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26. Upastha
Procreation.
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Tanmatras
Subtle elements · Sensory objects
27. Shabda
Sound as such.
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28. Sparsha
Touch as such.
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29. Rupa
Form as such.
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30. Rasa
Taste as such.
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31. Gandha
Smells as such.
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Mahabhutas
Gross elements
32. Akasha
Ether.
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33. Vayu
Air.
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34. Agni
Fire.
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35. Ap
Water.
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36. Prithivi
Earth.
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