Difference between revisions of "Tanmatra"
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== Ayurveda == | == Ayurveda == | ||
− | <div style='text-align:justify;'>Twenty four principles (chaturvinshatitatvatmak purusha) are listed in Charak Samhita. Instead of 25 principles mentioned by Samkhya, here only 24 principles are counted. The purusha and prakriti considered as one principle that is avyakta. | + | <div style='text-align:justify;'>Twenty four principles (chaturvinshatitatvatmak purusha) are listed in Charak Samhita. Instead of 25 principles mentioned by Samkhya, here only 24 principles are counted. The purusha and prakriti considered as one principle that is avyakta.<ref>Chakrapani, Ayurved Dipika Vyakhya on CharakaSamhitaSharirSthan, Chapter 1 verse 60 ChaukhambaSurbharati Publication, 1992, P.293.</ref> These principles are classified into two categories – 8 prakriti (creators) and 16 vikara (creations)[Cha.Sa. ShariraSthana1/63].Tanmatras are considered as prakriti tattva and para (supreme). [Cha.Sa. ShariraSthana 1/35] Sushruta explained the surge in universe, counted 24 principles (tattva). He has mentioned the creation of tanmatras from tamasa and rajasa ahankara. [Su.Sa. ShariraSthana 1]</div> |
== Theories of origination of mahabhutas from tanmatras == | == Theories of origination of mahabhutas from tanmatras == |
Revision as of 12:00, 28 November 2022
The Sanskrit word ‘tanmatra’ literally means subtle elements. It reflects the knowledge of atoms in ancient classics. Ayurveda being the life science has focused on the genesis of life along with the fulfillment of long healthy life. This concept of genesis of life in Ayurveda find its roots in Sankhya philosophy and Vedant Philosophy. This concept of tanmatras is reflected as the influence of Sankhya and Vedant philosophy on Ayurved.
Section/Chapter | Concepts/Tanmatra |
---|---|
Authors | NawkarMadhumati S.1 |
Reviewer | Basisht G.2, |
Editor | Deole Y.S.3 |
Affiliations |
1DepartmentofSanskritSamhitaSiddhanta, R. T. AyurvedMahavidyalaya, Akola, Maharashtra, India 2 Rheumatologist, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A. 3Department ofKayachikitsa, G.J.Patel Institute of Ayurvedic Studies and Research, New Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat, India |
Correspondence emails |
madhumati.nawkar@gmail.com, carakasamhita@gmail.com |
Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Development Centre, I.T.R.A., Jamnagar, India |
Date of publication: | November 24, 2022 |
DOI | In process |
Etymology
Definition
Types of tanmatras
There are five sense perceptions -hearing, touch, sight, taste and smell and there are five tanmatras corresponding to the five-sense perception [4]
These are five in number
- Shabdatanmatra or sukshma akasha mahabhuta
- Sparshatanmatra or sukshmavayumahabhuta
- Rupa tanmatra or sukshmateja/agnimahabhuta
- Rasa tanmatra or sukshmajala/aapmahabhuta
- Gandhatanmatra or sukshmaprithvimahabhuta
Synonyms
Concept of Tanmatra as per Sankhyaphilosophy
Sr no. | Category | Name | Number |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Mulaprakriti (origin/ creator) | prakriti | 01 |
2 | Prakriti-vikriti (creator & creation dual nature) | Mahat Ahankar Panchtanmatra |
07 |
3 | Vikar (creation) | Panchamahabhoota (Five fundamental elements) Panchajnanendrya (Five sense organs) Panchakarmendriya (five motor organs) Mind (mana) |
16 |
4 | Na prakriti navikar (neither creator nor creation) | Purusha | 01 |
According to Sankhyas at the initial stage the two original eternal principles are mulaprakruti or avyakta (principal origin) and purusha.
Prakriti is the original state with balanced state of triguna, everything is in a mass and one thing cannot be distinguished from one another. Prakriti with the help of purusha causes the creation. [9]
The next principle mahat (cosmic intellect) gets originated from avyakta, and this further originates ahankara (ego/ self sense of cosmos). The ahankara is of three types.
- Sattvika: Ahankara with dominance of sattva, also known as vaikarika.
- Rajasika: Ahankara with dominance of rajas, also known as tejas.
- Tamasika: Ahankara with dominance of tamas, also known as bhutadi.
Vedant philosophy
Panchikarana (quintiplication) is the process explained by Vedanta for the formation of gross elements from tanmatras.
Vaisheshika philosophy
Ayurveda
Theories of origination of mahabhutas from tanmatras
- Each mahabhuta originates from its own tanmatra. As commented by Shri Gaudapad on Sankhyakarika, akasha originated from shabdatanmatra, vayu from sparshatanmatra, agni from rupatanmatra, jala from rasa tanmatra and prithvi from gandhatanmatra respectively.[13]
- Quintiplication (panchikarana):
In Vedant philosophy, it is believed that for formation of each gross element all tanmatras take part in specific proportion. The dominance of concerned tanmatra gives rise to the concerned mahabhoota. That is in each sthulabhuta 50% or ½ portion will show dominance of its own tanmatra and rest four tanmatras will occupy 1/8th portion (12.50%) each. This is known as panchikarana.[14]
For example, akasha mahabhoota is formed by combination of - 50% of shabdatanmatra, 12.5% of sparshatanmatra, 12.5% of rupatanmatra, 12.5% of rasa tanmatra and 12.5% of gandhatanmatra.
- Addition of properties (kramotpatti[15]/ bhutantaraanupravesha[16]/ ekottarparivriddhi[17])
When the gross elements originate from its own tanmatra, the previous element’s tanmatra also plays role in its creation. That means first akash originates from shabdatanmatra. Thereafter, vayumahabhoota originates from sparshatanmatra along with shabdatanmatra. So vayu shows two qualities shabda and sparsha, and so on/ The properties of each mahabhuta in sequential formation are shown in table below.
No | Tanmatra | Mahabhuta | Guna |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Shabda | Akash | Shabda |
2 | Shabda + Sparsha | Vayu | Shabda, Sparsha |
3 | Shabda + Sparsha + Rupa | Agni | Shabda, Sparsha, Rupa |
4 | Shabda + Sparsha + Rupa + Rasa | Jala | Shabda, Sparsha, Rupa, Rasa |
5 | Shabda + Sparsha + Rupa + Rasa + Gandha | Pruthvi | Shabda, Sparsha, Rupa, Rasa, Gandha |
References
- ↑ Gaudpadabhashya on ShriIshvarkrishnavirachitaSankhyakarika, Verse22 Chaukhamba Sanskrit SerieseOffice,Varanasi, 1953, P.20.
- ↑ Sir Monnier Williams, Sanskrit English Dictionary, Southern Publication, Madras, 1987, P. 434.
- ↑ Dalhan, NibandhSangraha commentary on SushrutSamhita,SharirSthana Chapter1,Verse 4,Chaukhamba Orientallia, Varanasi 1997,p. 339.
- ↑ Gaudpadabhashya on ShriIshvarkrishnavirachitaSankhyakarika,Verse22 Chaukhamba Sanskrit SerieseOffice,Varanasi, 1953. P.4,5.
- ↑ Chakrapani, Ayurved Dipika Vyakhya on CharakaSamhitaSharirSthan Chapter 1, verse 63, ChaukhambaSurbharati Publication, 1992, P.293.
- ↑ ShriIshvarkrishna ,Sankhyakarika, verse 38 Chaukhamba Sanskrit SerieseOffice,Varanasi, 1953. P.33.
- ↑ Dr.V.J. Thakar, AyurvediyaMaulik Siddhant, Gujrat Ayurved University, Jamnagar,1985 P.135.
- ↑ ShriIshvarkrishna ,Sankhyakarika verse 3 Chaukhamba Sanskrit SerieseOffice,Varanasi, 1953.P4.
- ↑ Dr.D.L. Chary, A Textbook of PadarthaVijnanaEvumAyurvedItihasa,Chaukhamba Sanskrit Pratishthan,Delhi,2017, P.74.
- ↑ ShrimatsadanandYogeendra, Vedantsar, Verse 18, Chaukhambha Publishers, Varanasi,1998, P28
- ↑ Vd. A. Bhatkar, Padarthvidnyan, Rajni Publisher, Nagpur,2008, P. 44.
- ↑ Chakrapani, Ayurved Dipika Vyakhya on CharakaSamhitaSharirSthan, Chapter 1 verse 60 ChaukhambaSurbharati Publication, 1992, P.293.
- ↑ Gaudpadabhashya on ShriIshvarkrishnavirachitaSankhyakarika,Verse3 Chaukhamba Sanskrit SerieseOffice,Varanasi, 1953. P4.
- ↑ ShrimatsadanandYogeendra, Vedantsar, Verse 28, Chaukhambha Publishers, Varanasi.1998,P.36.
- ↑ Dr. V.J. Thakar, AyurvediyaMaulik Siddhant, Gujrat Ayurved University, Jamnagar,1985, P.136.
- ↑ Chakrapani, Ayurved Dipika Vyakhya on CharakaSamhitaSharirSthan 1 verse28 ChaukhambaSurbharati Publication, 1992, P.289.
- ↑ Dalhan ,NibandhSangrahacommentary on SushrutSamhita,Sharir Sthana,Chapter1,Verse 4,Chaukhamba Orientallia, Varanasi 1997,p 339.