Philosophy

Ananda Sutram Chapter I - Brahma Cakra
Ananda Sutram Chapter IV - The Tantric Theory of Creation
Origin of Life - Mechanism, Vitalism and our Concept of Life


Microvita science

Microvita in a Nutshell - Microvitum, The mysterious emanation of Cosmic Factor
Microvita in a Nutshell - Microvita and Cosmology

Brahma Cakra
from: A'nanda Sutram, Chapter I

1.1 Shivashaktyátmakam’ Brahma
Brahma is the composite of Shiva and Shakti.

1.2 Shaktih Sá Shivasya shaktih
Shakti is the shakti (power) of Shiva.

1.3 Tayoh siddhih saincare pratisaincare ca
The proof (fulfillment) of the two is in saincara and pratisaincara.

1.4 Paramashiva Purusottamah visvasya kendram
Puru ottama, the supreme consciousness, is the centre of the universe.

1.5 Pravrttimukhii saincarah gunadháráyam
Saincara is the process of increasing desire and increasing bondage of the gunas.

1.6 Nivrttimukhii pratisaincarah gunávaksayena
Pratisaincara is the process of decreasing desire and decreasing influence (waning) of the gunas.

1.7 Drk Purusah darshanam’ Shaktishca
Puru a is the seer and Prakrti is the act of seeing.

1.8 Gunabandhanena gunábhivyaktih
By the binding of the gunas, the qualities are well expressed.

1.9 Gunádhikye jad’aspot’ah bhútasámyábhávát
Due to excess pressure of bondage of the gu as and lack of proper balance in the five fundamental factors, the crude solid factor explodes.

1.10 Gunaprabhávena bhútasaungharsádbalam
By means of the influence of the gunas, and from clash within the five fundamental factors, bala, or energy is created.

1.11 Dehakendrikáni parinámabhútáni baláni pránáh
The resultant interial force forming the nucleus within the physical structure, and maintaining its solidarity, is called "prá áh" or vital energy.

1.12 Tiivrasaungharsena cúrniibhútáni jad’áni cittánu mánasadhátuh vá
Due to excessive clash, some of the crude factor is pulverized and ectoplasmic particles or mindstuff is evolved.

1.13 Vyast’idehe cittánusamaváyena cittabodhah
By means of combination of ectoplasmic particles in the unit structure, the feeling of citta or objectivity evolves.

1.14 Cittát gunávak aye rajogunaprábalye aham
By the waning of the binding principles and the dominance of the mutative force, the aham, or ego, evolves from the citta.

1.15 Súksmábhimukhinii gatirudaye aham’tattvánmahat
When the movement starts toward the subtle, mahat is evolved from aham’tattva.

1.16 Cittádaham’prábalye buddhih
When aham is dominant over citta, intellect evolves.

1.17 Aham’tattvát mahadprábalye bodhih
When mahat is dominant over aham, intuition evolves.

1.18 Mahadaham’varjite anagrasare jiivadehe latágulme kevalam’ cittam
In underdeveloped living structures, creepers and shrubs devoid of mahat and aham, there is only citta.

1.19 Mahadvarjite anagrasare jiivadehe latágulme cittayuktáham
In underdeveloped living structures, creepers and shrubs devoid of mahat, there is aham along with citta.

1.20 Prágrasare jiive latágulme mánuse mahadaham’ cittáni
In developed living structures, creepers and shrubs as well as in man, there is mahat, aham and citta.

1.21 Bhúmávyápte Mahati aham’cittayorpranáshe sagunásthitih savikalpa- samádhih vá
When, with the expansion of the unit, aham and citta are reconverted into mahat, the merger is called "savikalpasamádhi", the stance of determinate absorption into the qualified state.

1.22 Átmani mahapranáshe nirgunáshitih nirvikalpasamádhi vá
When mahat is reconverted into the átman, the resultant state, beyond the bindings of he gu as, is called "nirvikalpasamádhi" or stance of indeterminate absorbtion, complete dissolution of mind.

1.23 Tasya sthitih amánasikesu
This state (of nirvikalpa samádhi) is beyond the mind.

1.24 Abhávottaránandapratyayálambaniivrttih tasya pramánam
The bliss which follows the void is the proof of this state, the means of firm belief in this state of no-expression.

1.25 Bhávah’ bhávátiitayoh setuh Tárakabrahma
The bridge between nirguna and saguna Brahma is called "Táraka Brahma" or liberating Brahma.

The Creation of the Universe and Kundalinii
from: A'nanda Sutram, Chapter IV

4.1 Trigu átmiká srstimátrká ashesatrikonadhárá
The tri-attributional primordial force (progenitrix of creation) flows on in endless triangular forms.

4.2 Tribhúje Sá svarúpaparinámátmiká
In the triangle of forces, the three attributes of Prakrti are locked in endless mutual transformation.

4.3 Prathamá avyakte Sá Shivánii kendre ca Paramashivah
In the first stage (not yet a stage of actual manifestation), Prakrti is called Shivánii, and the witnessing Purusa is called Paramashiva.

4.4 Dvitiiyá sakale prathamodgame Bhaeravii Bhaeraváshritá
In the second phase, when the germ of evolution sprouts Prakrti is called Bhaeravii, and the witnessing Purusa is called Bhaerava.

4.5 Sadrshaparinámena Bhavánii Sá Bhavadárá
In the vibrational world there is a sequence of similarity of curvatures (homogenesis). Here, Prakrti is called Bhavánii, and the witnessing Purusá is called Bhava.

4.6 Shambhúliungát tasya vyaktih
The process of creation starts from Shambhúliu ga.

4.7 Sthúliibhavane nidritá sá kundalinii
In the ultimate state of crudification, the paráshakti lying lying dormant at Svayambhúliunga is called the kundalinii (coiled serpentine).

4.8 Kunalinii sá múliibhútá rnátmiká
The kunalinii is the (force of) fundamental negativity.

Origin of Life - Mechanism, Vitalism and our Concept of Life
from: various sources

Origin of Life: Mechanism and Vitalism

What is life? Mechanism makes no distinction between organic and inorganic. In explaining life, from the simplest amoeba to the most complex human beings, it assumes no other materials and no other forces than those present in inorganic nature, as for instance in the formation of rock or of chemical compounds. The physical and chemical laws that operate in the inorganic world are regarded as sufficient to explain all forms of life. Ultimately, according to mechanism, living things can be adequately described in terms of just matter and motion. Ultimately living things are all groupings of the same primitive atoms whirling through space.

Mechanism describes the origin of life in this way: Atoms of creation -- hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, etc. -- moving by the forces pertaining to them, strike against one another and adhere together in clusters and arrange themselves at last into the protoplasmic cell with which life begins. Next, the movements of atoms within the cell draw into it (the cell) more atoms from outside and at last split it up into two cells; and these ultimately split into many thousands. Then follow interactions of the different cells, leading to their differentiation into the tissues and organs having different functions. Finally, the motions of the atoms and interactions of the organs spontaneously adjust themselves in such a way as to reach a state of moving, self-sustaining equilibrium which constitutes the living organism as a whole. So it will be found that life is nothing other than this mechanical resultant of interaction of the molecules constituting the body. If we understand life in this way, as the equilibrium of colliding atoms, we have to admit that living creatures originate from that which is lifeless -- the theory of abiogenesis. This is the theory of mechanism in its essence.

It is difficult to explain life by means of matter and motion only. The animal sense acts for its own preservation. When I step on a floating log and find it to be a crocodile, the change in my knowledge is due to the kind of motion in the crocodile which logs do not and cannot present: a flexible action which appears to come from within and to aim at self-preservation. There is something else that is real in a living body besides the material elements and the physical and chemical processes, to account for its characteristic behaviour. Thus we are led to the opposite theory of vitalism.

The vitalist argument may be briefly stated thus: Every living object is an organized whole. Its parts exist and function for the organism's total well-being. In it the whole exercises control over the parts. And there, in that power, lies the instinctive character of life. Nowhere in the inorganic world can this characteristic be found. The characteristic power of life can be detailed as follows:

None of these powers oriented to the single goal of the whole organism's well-being fall within the scope of the mechanist explanation. This is why we have to postulate the pressure of something new in the living organism to explain these peculiar functions. And this is entelechy, or the vital principle.

The main objection to the vitalists' theory of life is that there is an element of mystery about the concept of the vital principle.

Our Concept Of Life

If the resultant force, the force that comes into being as a result of both external and internal frictions in the object-body, "happens to be interial in character, a nucleus is formed within the solid factor"* in some part of that body, and the powers or energies active in that body are collectively called pra'n'a'h, or vital energy. In Sanskrit the word pra'n'a'h "is always used in the plural number, because it is a collection of ten va'yus, or ten important forces working within [...] the physical structure."**

How It Originates

The external pressure of the static principle on the . . . five factors is known as bala. As a result of this bala, two opposing forces develop. . . . The centre-seeking or interial force tries to maintain the structural solidarity of the object, while the centrifugal one has a fissiparous tendency, that is, it tries to split up the object into thousands. The collective name of these exterial and interial forces is pra'n'a, or "energy". Every solid factor therefore possesses pra'n'a. Pra'n'a is the eternal game between the Cosmic cause and its crudest effect. In pra'n'a there exists an internal clash in which either of the aforesaid active forces may win. If the interial forces win, that is, if the resultant force created happens to be interial in character, a nucleus is formed within the solid factor. Under such circumstances a solid structure is created and maintenance of its physical solidarity depends upon the bala or external pressure.

Let us see how life gets expression within the physical unit structure. These physical structures are composed of five fundamental factors -- ethereal, aerial, luminous, liquid, and solid --- and so, for their own existence as unit structures, they must have the controlling nuclei of the respective factors within their composite body. All these factors should remain in requisite proportion, and on the mutual cohesion amongst these factors depends the resultant interial, or the pra'n'a'h. The controlling nucleus of all these fundamental physical nuclei is the controlling point of the collective pra'n'a. This collection of pra'n'a is called pra'n'a'h, or "vital energy"

The manifestation of pra'n'a'h depends on two essential conditions. First, the resultant of pra'n'a'h must be an interial force, and secondly, there must be a congenial environment. For want of a congenial condition in the present-day world, a number of giant animals of the remote past have either been transformed into smaller species or have vanished altogether. (Shrii Shrii A'nandamu'rti, "Saincara and Pra'n'a'h" in Idea and Ideology, 1993)

How Life Is Created

In the uterus the basic physical structure is first formed. This structure has potential energy and emanates a wavelength. It receives the potentiality from the momentum of the spermatozoa. Spermatozoa get their motion from the vital potentiality of the male body, and that is why the living being is said to reside first in the seminal fluid of the male and then in the mother's womb; after which the bosom of Mother Earth receives it. Since the physical structure starts from spermatozoa which have a positive motion, and, therefore, a wavelength, the physical structure thus formed must have a wavelength accordingly. We have already seen that the dissociated mind also has a wavelength (in a potential form) and a momentum which has to be expressed. The dissociated mind needs physical parallelism for proper expression, and therefore the Cosmic mutative force causes the dissociated mind from eternal space to enter the adjustable physical structure, assuming a form in the mother's womb. This is how life comes into physical creation. (Shrii Shrii A'nandamu'rti, "Life, Death and Sam'ska'ra" in Idea and Ideology, 1993)

Microvitum - the mysterious emanation of cosmic factor
from: "A Few Problems Solved"
also published in "Microvitum in a Nutshell"

The discourse is on "Microvitum, the Mysterious Emanation of Cosmic Factor." It is one of the human wonts that whatever we do not know, in order to conceal our limitations or hide our imperfections, we either say that it is non-existent, or in a more intelligent style, we will say it is abstract. In this universe. of ours, whatever comes within the scope of our senses or within the periphery of our perception, we say, "It is," and whatever is beyond the arena of the senses or the jurisdiction of perception, we cannot say anything. Hence, our world functions within the limitations of our senses and perceptions. We know in the realm of cosmic extrovert, in the first phase -- that is, in the phase of extrovert -- 'subtle' is transmuted into 'crude', and in the returning phase of introvert, 'crude' is metamorphosed into 'subtle'. In this progress, rather in this semicircular approach, there may be subtler objects in the scope of matter -- many objects subtler than electrons or protons, neutrons or positrons -- but we find no alternative but to say that they are either electron or proton or positron or neutron. And similarly, in the psychic sphere there may be entities subtler than ectoplasm or its extra-psychic coverage, endoplasm.

There are entities which come within the realm of both physicality and psychic expressions which are smaller or subtler than atoms, electrons or protons, and in the psychic realm may be subtler than ectoplasm. For such objects or for such entities I use the term "microvitum". This microvitum, or in plural microvita, are not of protoplasmic order, and as such they have got little to do with carbon molecules or carbon atoms, which are treated as the initial points or initial stage of life in this universe. So far as physicality is concerned, the position of these microvita is just between ectoplasm and electron, but they are neither ectoplasm nor electron.

It is a human wont that whatever we know regarding any subject or any object, when we know that it exists but its characteristics or other particulars are not known to us, we say it is "mysterious". So regarding these microvita, we may say they are mysterious. That is why I used the term "microvitum, the mysterious emanation of cosmic factor". They are not of protoplasmic order, and hence the question of their protozoic structure or metazoic structure does not arise. They are something mysterious.

Now, these microvita are not of the same density or the same subtlety. Some of them come within the range of a highly developed microscope; and some of them may not come within the range of a microscope, but by their actional expression or through their actional faculty or as a result of their actional vibrations, they may come within the scope of our perception. They are of subtle order. There may be still more subtle forms of microvita which may not come directly within the scope of our perception but may come within the scope of a special type of perception which is actually the reflection of conception within the range of perception in a limited sphere.

So these microvita may be broadly divided into three categories -- first, those coming within the scope of a microscope; secondly, those not coming within the scope of perception but coming within the scope of perception as a result of their expression, as a result of their actional vibration; and thirdly, those not coming within the scope of common perception but coming within the scope of a special type of perception which is actually the reflection of conception within the periphery of perception. Such perception -- that special type of perception -- may be felt or realised by persons having highly developed minds, having spiritually oriented minds.

Regarding these microvita of crude order which may come within the scope of a microscope, people give them the name "virus". They say, "This disease is of virus origin." But virus is a vague term. The better term will be microvitum, and not virus.

Now, these microvita move throughout the entire universe, from one celestial body to another. They move everywhere, crossing the boundaries of nebulae, piercing through milkyways, galaxies, stars, satellites, planets and meteors. Like other psychic and psycho-physical beings, they have also got basic characteristics -- such as existing, multiplying and dying. They move unbarred, without caring for the atmospheric conditions or barometric readings. How do they move? Everybody requires some media for movement. Mobility means movement through a medium or media. There may be more than one medium, that is, there may be many media at a time in the same movement. These microvita also move through several media. They move through sound. The so-called virus of a diseased person moves through his or her sound. They may move through tactuality. They may move through forms or figures. In the case of some of the diseases, the disease spreads through the smell of the disease, and in the case of subtler microvita, they may move through ideas. A particular idea may get accelerated and spread in a particular planet with the help of a few conceptually developed minds. That is, a great man with a great conceptually developed mind may spread his ideas with the help of these microvita throughout that planet, or even throughout this universe in different celestial bodies.

Now, what is the root cause of this universe? Which is the starting point of life or vitality? These microvita are the carriers of life in different stars, planets and satellites -- not carbon atoms or carbon molecules. These living creatures with their mysterious movement create minds and bodies, living bodies in different celestial bodies, and they also destroy minds and physical bodies, or developed or undeveloped corpor, in any corner of this universe. So the root cause of life is not the unicellular protozoa or unit protoplasmic cell, but this unit microvitum.

Now, there should be extensive research work regarding this microvitum or these microvita. Our task is gigantic and we are to start our research work regarding these microvita immediately without any further delay, otherwise many problems in modern society will not be solved in a nice way. As Prama' (equilibrium and equipoise) is an essentiality in the field of intellectuality or intellectual pursuit, similarly in the higher intellectual realm research work on these microvita is extremely necessary. Here we should again remember the fact that these microvita are creations in the internal phase, rather in the returning phase of cosmic expression. We are human beings with developed intellect. I think, rather I hope, rather I am sure that the day is sure to come when human beings will have proper control over these microvita.

In ancient times, regarding the singular or collective structures of these microvita, the ancient rs'is or sages said that they are of seven types, of seven species, and gave them the names: yaks'a, gandharva, vidya'dhara, kinnara, siddha, prakrtiliina and videhaliina according to the nature of their subtlety or the nature of their crudeness. I think, by dint of our spiritual sa'dhana', rather our physico-psycho-spiritual sa'dhana', out minds will develop in all strata, and the power of conception, the power of conceiving, will also develop, and with that developed conceiving power, we will know all the secrets of these microvita.

Renaissance Universal Discourse, 31 December 1986, Calcutta

Microvita and cosmology
source: "Microvitum in a Nutshell"

In human beings and other animals, some propensity or other is either activated or slowed down by the impact of different inferences at various stages. Though this is not an easy subject, the impact that the inferences have at various stages on the body, mind, propensities, mass, hormones, etc. must be studied. We have to study the impact of inferences on the human body, the human mind and human psycho-spirituality.

The inferences of sound, touch, form, taste and smell all operate on different planes and their effects are also different. 'Doer I' or Krta Purus'a is the concentrated form of positive and negative microvita in the universal arena, maintaining equilibrium -- functioning in the arena of the universe. Positive microvita are utilised for physico-psycho-spiritual practice. Energy is 'knower I' or Jina Purus'a, plus and minus the microvita passing through the universe. Sa'dhana' [spiritual practice - ed.] is not possible without taking proper food because the vital energy one derives from food is a transformed form of other energies. Only positive and negative microvita will not do -- vital energy is also required.

Microvita come from outer space, from the extended universe and the universal planes, through sound and other inferences. Sound and other inferences have various planes, stages and phases. Microvita pass through the different phases of these inferences. Positive microvita are concerned with energy or the psychic realm and negative microvita are concerned with the physical body because the physical body contains inferences, that is, matter. Matter is clearly associated with inferences -- the original planes of inferences or the reflected or refracted planes of inferences. For example, mind receives the odour of a rose flower, but in the microcosmic plane of odour. This odour encourages certain propensities and discourages others. The mind certainly runs towards propensities, but one cannot achieve success by suppressing the propensities because more energy will be consumed in this effort. One has to divert the propensities by learning the art of pratya'ha'ra [withdrawal of the senses -ed.].

Now, the question is, How do positive and negative microvita maintain both equilibrium and equipoise in the universal strata -- in the physical, physico-psychic, psychic and psycho-spiritual realms?

Microvita have nothing to do directly with the spiritual stratum. Positive microvita equal negative microvita -- that is, the sum total of positive microvita equals the sum total of negative microvita. This is so in the entire macrocosm and in individual microcosmic structures. If there is over utilisation of positive microvita during psychic and psycho-spiritual practices, then there will be a shortage of positive microvita for balancing the negative microvita in the physical and physico-psychic strata, because the sum total of positive and negative microvita must balance each other. Thus, human beings should utilise their strength in all the strata. In the physical strata, utilise the immense power of negative microvita, otherwise the surplus of the negative microvita will become very strong due to accumulation. Good people should not go to the Himalayan caves. Rather, remaining in society, they should serve the society in the physical and physico-psychic strata with the help of negative microvita, and in the psychic and psycho-spiritual strata with the help of positive microvita. If good people neglect the use of negative microvita in the physical stratum, catastrophes are sure to come. Everything will be in pell mell order.

(1) Supreme Universal Entity.
(The Supreme Cognitive Principle and the Supreme Cognitive Creative Faculty +/- maintaining universal equilibrium and equipoise). (Nirvishes'a).

(2) Supreme Attributional Principle. (Savishes'a).

SUBJECTIVE B Doing principle or supra mundane seed of the actional principle, ready for being sprouted (microvita of different characters, either of positive or negative nature, collectively maintaining the balance of the actional universe, creating initial forms of carbon [carbonic? - ed.] atoms that help macro- and micro propensities in having their purely physical [i.e. material -ed.] auxiliary media with mass and wants)

SUBJECTIVE A Knowing principle or supra-mundane knowledge (expressed energies of different characters; indestructible, interchangeable and inter-transmutable)

OBJECTIVE A Planes of microcosmic and macrocosmic propensities (different strata of mind: conscious, sub-conscious, physico-psychic, psycho-physical, and psycho-spiritual [controlled by Subjective B - ed.])

OBJECTIVE B Planes of universal macrocosmic inferences and their reflected and refracted inferences (planes of inferences which are being activated, accelerated and stimulated by Subjective A)

(A) subjective relates to and controls (B) objective and (B) subjective relates to and controls (A) objective.

(A) subjective is the field of psycho-spiritual laboratory research and (B) objective is the field of external laboratory research. In the case of (A) subjective, results cannot come within external laboratory tests.

This is a new line of thinking -- a new philosophical approach. Here 'knower I' or 'doer I' are not necessarily the mahat, aham or citta of philosophy. It is a new school of philosophical thought -- it has no connection with mahat, aham and citta. New Sam'skrta terms will have to be created:

Knower I is Jina Purus'a Doer I is Krta Purus'a Abstract is Bha'vastha Non-attributional is Nirvishes'a Attributional is Savishes'a

Positive and negative microvita maintain equilibrium in the (B) subjective chamber of the Supreme Attributional Principle. That is why during the bifurcation, the unitary strength remains the same -- the subjective and objective having equal value in strength during the phase of reduction.

There should not be negative use of negative microvita and there must not be negative use of positive microvita. You should always be positive. In the physical sciences, there are immense possibilities for the positive use of negative microvita. Positive and negative microvita are both necessary for balance. Due to the excessive use of positive microvita, it will become difficult to control and balance the negative microvita in the physical and physico-psychic strata because there will be a shortage of positive microvita. You must not run after occult powers.

In communist and capitalist countries, there is plenty of unutilised positive microvita because of the excessive use of negative microvita in the physical and physico-psychic strata in the society. That is why there is the problem of immorality etc. there. There must be full utilisation of the accumulated excess positive microvita through sa'dhana', service, etc. to solve this problem.

By splitting up the atom immense energy is released. This is due to the fact that the energy which is packaged up in matter comes out. To claim that energy is obtained due to the destruction of matter is theoretical and not physically proven. In fact, the energy comes out from within the store of the atom. Energy always requires a material shelter -- a container. After the destruction of the container, the immense released energy moves very fast with tremendous speed in all directions in search of some or other material shelter. Finally, it finds a way in some country, in some human physical body, in structures and other material objects scattered around, or in the ocean, etc. Matter needs a shelter, and the shelter of matter is the earth. This is the secret.

When the original inferences come in contact with the plane of the universe, they are either reflected or refracted. The unit cannot have the original inference. It has to depend upon and surrender to the Cosmic Reflecting Entity. This is psycho- spiritual practice in the last phase.

There are 51 propensities in men. Positive microvita elevate the upgrading propensities, but the field of activity for negative microvita is the Manipur Cakra and below. Suppose the application of negative microvita in the region just below the Manipur Cakra helps to cure the fear complex in a sa'dhaka. At the same time it may also provide courage. But negative microvita can also do harm to others.

If one uses positive microvita in the physical and physico- psychic strata as in the case of Avidya' Ta'ntrikas, it will create imbalance affecting spiritual growth. By excessive use of positive microvita, balance will again be lost.

June 10, 1989, Calcutta

©all rights reserved