The 36 Tattvas
Principles of manifestation · Categories of reality
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Cit Shakti. Absolute consciousness; principle of existence.
Ananda Shakti. Absolute consciousness vibrating, Spanda; principle of omnipresence, awareness.
Iccha Shakti. Absolute limitlessness; principle of willpower.
Jnana Shakti. Absolute knowledge; principle of omniscience.
Kriya Shakti. Absolute capacity to act; principle of omnipotence.
Maya Shakti. Veil of limitation.
Kriya Shakti. Limited action.
Jnana Shakti. Limited knowledge.
Iccha Shakti. Limited willpower.
Ananda Shakti. Limited time.
Cit Shakti. Limited space.
Cit Shakti. Individual subject.
Ananda Shakti. Objective experience.
Jnana Shakti. Pure intellect, discernment.
Kriya Shakti. Ego; ability to enact thoughts.
Iccha Shakti. Mind functioning; capacity to create thoughts and mental images.
Jnanendriyas
Sensory subjects
Powers of perception
Karmendriyas
Sensory means
Powers of action
Tanmatras
Sensory objects
Subtle elements
Mahabhutas
Gross elements
1. Shiva
Cit Shakti. Absolute consciousness; principle of existence.
2. Shakti
Ananda Shakti. Absolute consciousness vibrating, Spanda; principle of omnipresence, awareness.
3. Sadashiva
Iccha Shakti. Absolute limitlessness; principle of willpower.
4. Ishvara
Jnana Shakti. Absolute knowledge; principle of omniscience.
5. Shuddha-Vidya
Kriya Shakti. Absolute capacity to act; principle of omnipotence.
6. Maya
Maya Shakti. Veil of limitation.
7. Kalā · action
Kriya Shakti. Limited action.
8. Vidyā
Jnana Shakti. Limited knowledge.
9. Rāga
Iccha Shakti. Limited willpower.
10. Kāla · time
Ananda Shakti. Limited time.
11. Niyati
Cit Shakti. Limited space.
12. Purusha
Cit Shakti. Individual subject.
13. Prakriti
Ananda Shakti. Objective experience.
14. Buddhi
Jnana Shakti. Pure intellect, discernment.
15. Ahamkara
Kriya Shakti. Ego; ability to enact thoughts.
16. Manas
Iccha Shakti. Mind functioning; capacity to create thoughts and mental images.
17. Shrotra
Hearing.
18. Tvak
Touching.
19. Chakshu
Seeing.
20. Jihva
Tasting.
21. Ghrana
Smelling.
22. Vak
Speaking.
23. Pani
Grasping.
24. Pada
Locomotion.
25. Payu
Excretion.
26. Upastha
Procreation.
27. Shabda
Sound as such.
28. Sparsha
Touch as such.
29. Rupa
Form as such.
30. Rasa
Taste as such.
31. Gandha
Smells as such.
32. Akasha
Ether.
33. Vayu
Air.
34. Agni
Fire.
35. Ap
Water.
36. Prithivi
Earth.
Pure principles1–5
1. Shiva
Cit Shakti. Absolute consciousness; principle of existence.
2. Shakti
Ananda Shakti. Absolute consciousness vibrating, Spanda; principle of omnipresence, awareness.
3. Sadashiva
Iccha Shakti. Absolute limitlessness; principle of willpower.
4. Ishvara
Jnana Shakti. Absolute knowledge; principle of omniscience.
5. Shuddha-Vidya
Kriya Shakti. Absolute capacity to act; principle of omnipotence.
Maya and limitations6–11
6. Maya
Maya Shakti. Veil of limitation.
7. Kalā · action
Kriya Shakti. Limited action.
8. Vidyā
Jnana Shakti. Limited knowledge.
9. Rāga
Iccha Shakti. Limited willpower.
10. Kāla · time
Ananda Shakti. Limited time.
11. Niyati
Cit Shakti. Limited space.
Individual experience12–16
12. Purusha
Cit Shakti. Individual subject.
13. Prakriti
Ananda Shakti. Objective experience.
14. Buddhi
Jnana Shakti. Pure intellect, discernment.
15. Ahamkara
Kriya Shakti. Ego; ability to enact thoughts.
16. Manas
Iccha Shakti. Mind functioning; capacity to create thoughts and mental images.
Senses and elements17–36
17. Shrotra
Hearing.
18. Tvak
Touching.
19. Chakshu
Seeing.
20. Jihva
Tasting.
21. Ghrana
Smelling.
22. Vak
Speaking.
23. Pani
Grasping.
24. Pada
Locomotion.
25. Payu
Excretion.
26. Upastha
Procreation.
27. Shabda
Sound as such.
28. Sparsha
Touch as such.
29. Rupa
Form as such.
30. Rasa
Taste as such.
31. Gandha
Smells as such.
32. Akasha
Ether.
33. Vayu
Air.
34. Agni
Fire.
35. Ap
Water.
36. Prithivi
Earth.