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tattvas

Tattva is a Sanskrit term meaning principle, truth, or essence; it is used in various Indian philosophical and religious traditions to denote fundamental realities or elements that together make up the world and experience. The word is often translated as “that-ness” or “principle.”

In Hindu philosophy, tattvas are a framework for understanding reality. In classical Samkhya, there are 25 tattvas

In Kashmir Shaivism, tattvas form a detailed cosmology of 36 principles describing the emanation of reality

In Jain philosophy, tattvas denote fundamental truths about reality and the path to liberation. Texts such

Across traditions, tattvas provide a concise vocabulary for describing the composition and transformation of reality.

comprising
the
manifest
universe.
The
first
two
are
Prakriti
(primordial
matter)
and
Purusha
(conscious
principle).
Following
them
are
Mahat
(cosmic
intellect)
and
Ahamkara
(ego),
then
Manas
(mind).
The
system
further
enumerates
the
fivejnana-indriyas
(sense
organs),
the
five
karmendriyas
(organs
of
action),
the
five
tanmatras
(subtle
sense
impressions),
and
the
five
mahabhutas
(earth,
water,
fire,
air,
ether).
These
tattvas
describe
a
progression
from
pure
potential
to
concrete
experience.
from
pure
consciousness
to
the
physical
world.
The
framework
is
used
to
explain
the
unity
of
existence
and
the
pathways
of
realization
through
spiritual
practice.
The
exact
enumerations
differ
from
Samkhya,
but
the
core
idea
remains
that
reality
unfolds
through
interconnected
levels
of
principle.
as
the
Tattvartha
Sutra
describe
a
set
of
tattvas
that
include
the
soul
(jiva),
non-soul
(ajiva),
and
the
karmic
and
doctrinal
categories
that
govern
bondage
and
release.
The
Jain
system
emphasizes
ethical
conduct
and
knowledge
as
means
to
purify
the
tattvas
and
attain
liberation.