--------
* This stands for Purusha.
** This stands for Prakriti, cosmic matter, irrespective of the state we
perceive it to be in.
*** Bliss is Maya or Sakti, it is the creative energy producing changes
of state in Prakriti. Says the Sruti (Taittiriya Upanishad): "Verily
from Bliss are all these bhutas (elements) born, and being born by it
they live, and they return and enter into Bliss."
--------
Q. What are the three bodies?
A. The gross (sthula), the subtile (sukshma), and the causal (karana).
Q. What is the gross body?
A. That which is the effect of the Mahabhutas (primordial subtile
elements) differentiated into the five gross ones (Panchikrita),* is
born of Karma and subject to the six changes beginning with birth.** It
is said:--
What is produced by the (subtile) elements differentiated into the five
gross ones, is acquired by Karma, and is the measure of pleasure and
pain, is called the body (sarira) par excellence.
Q. What is the subtile body?
A. It is the effect of the elements not differentiated into five and
having seventeen characteristic marks (lingas).
Pages:
523
524
525
526
527
528
529
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
538
539
540
541
542
543
544
545
546
547