Tattva Bodha - Post 15

Sookshma shareeram kim?

Apanchi krita pancha-maha bhootaih kritam; satkarma janyam;

 sukha duhkha aadi bhoga saadhanam;

pancha jnaana indriyaani; pancha karma indriyaani; pancha praana aadayah;

manah cha ekam; buddhih cha ekaa;

evam sapta-dasha kalaabhih, saha yat tishthati,tat sookshma shareeram.

 What is the Subtle Body?

That which is composed of the 5 great elements which have not undergone grossification; 

born of the good actions of the past;

 for experiences such as joy, sorrow etc. – the instrument to experience these;

the five sense organs; the five organs of action; the five Pranas; 

the one mind; the one intellect;

 in this way, constituted of these seventeen items together – these make up the Subtle Body.

Sookshma Shareeram – Subtle Body 

The second body is called Sookshma Shareeram or subtle body. This also has four factors which we have to see. 

Material

Scriptures point out that the subtle body is born out of subtle matter which consists of subtle five elements. Just as there are gross five elements, there are subtle five elements called Sookshma Bhutani: 

       - Subtle Space 

       - Subtle Air

       - Subtle Fire

       - Subtle Water 

       - Subtle Earth

In general made out of subtle matter and subtle body is also called Bhoutika Shareeram. It is material body and material in nature. 

Components

Scriptures point out that the subtle body has got nineteen components. Each one being one instrument of transaction. Because gross body is only the office, but we require instruments for transaction and we have nineteen instruments: 

Pancha Jnāna Indriyāni – Five Sense Organs 

These are the five sense organs of knowledge, because all transactions pre suppose knowledge. 

- Eyes: meant to gather the knowledge of colors & forms.

    (Rupa Grahaka Chakshur Indriyam) 

-  Ears: meant to gather the knowledge of the sounds.

   (Shabda Grahaka Shrotra Indriyam)

-  Nose: meant to gather the knowledge of all forms of smell.

   (Gandha Grahaka Ghrana Indriyam)

-  Tongue: meant to gather the knowledge of all forms of taste. 

   (Rasa Grahaka Rasana Indriyam)

-  Skin: meant to gather the knowledge of all form varieties of touch.

   (Sparsha Grahaka Tuvag Indriyam)

These are the five Jnana Indriyas

When we refer to the Jnāna Indriyani or sense organs, we don’t refer to the physical part which belongs to the physical body. But we actually refer to the subtle power of perception. 

The eyeball belongs to the physical body but the eye organ belongs to the subtle body. Similarly the ear lobe belongs to the gross body but the power of hearing – the Shravana Shakti – belongs to the subtle body. 

Getting beyond the Jnana Indriyas in meditation.

 

Be aware not only of the object you are experiencing, but more importantly, the senses with which you are experiencing.

Witnessing the cognitive senses: The section above described the witnessing of the active senses. In a similar way, you can also practice witnessing the cognitive senses. 

The ability to smell: The awareness of the sense of smell automatically draws your attention to the nose from where you smell, from the physical perspective. You are not trying to smell anything in particular, but rather, be aware of the sense of smell itself. You become aware of the ability to smell, and then you set aside that ability. 

The ability to taste: The sense of taste automatically draws your attention to the mouth, where the physical taste buds are located. It is not just that you are trying to taste something in particular, though that might happen. Rather, it is awareness of the sense of taste itself. You become aware of the ability to taste, and then you set aside that ability. 

The ability to see: Awareness of the sense of sight draws your attention to the eyes. Here, you are not trying to be aware of objects that you might see with the eye, even the inner eye, but rather, you are being aware of the seeing ability itself. You become aware of the ability to see, and then you set aside that ability.  

The ability to touch: When you become aware of the sense of touch, that cognitive sense automatically draws your attention to some part of the skin, where the sensory nerves are located. It is not a question of what object you might be feeling, but of the sense of touch itself. You become aware of the ability to feel with touch, and then you set aside that ability. 

The ability to hear: The sense of hearing automatically draws your attention to the ears, where the complex physical structure of hearing is located. As you become aware of hearing itself, rather than listening to specific external sounds, you will also become aware of the inner sounds, though trying here to be aware of the hearing process itself. You become aware of the ability to hear, and then you set aside that ability. 

First the senses; then move inward: By being aware of each of the five cognitive senses, jnanendriyas, one at a time, and that you are temporarily ceasing to use those abilities for now, attention will naturally move inward, in the direction of deeper meditation.

Continued...

Love.