Both Agathiyar and Ramalinga Adigal came to asks us to understand the 96 tattwas before venturing to go within, the next phase they have brought us to after successfully completing Sariyai and Kriyai. They both referred me to Tavayogi's books "Andamum Pindamum" and "Atma Thathuvam". Reading through I could not grasp much of this philosophy behind the miracle of the body. Going back to Ramalinga Adigal he told me to read again. If I could not still understand he would come to clarify. I read again but could only grasp a little of what was said.
Earlier we learned that we are a combination of the same five basic primordial or primary elements or Prakriti that form the building blocks of all of creation, the Pancha Maha Bhutam namely earth, water, fire/energy, air/wind, and sky/space, in descending order of grossness. This is seen as the first layer of elements or Tattvas of creation. These principal forces of Nature are responsible for the creation and coming into being, development and continued sustenance, and completion of every creation of the divine that we have come to know.
Ajai Kumar Chhawchharia in his "The Mahavakyas of the Upanishads" compliments the above.
Earlier we learned that we are a combination of the same five basic primordial or primary elements or Prakriti that form the building blocks of all of creation, the Pancha Maha Bhutam namely earth, water, fire/energy, air/wind, and sky/space, in descending order of grossness. This is seen as the first layer of elements or Tattvas of creation. These principal forces of Nature are responsible for the creation and coming into being, development and continued sustenance, and completion of every creation of the divine that we have come to know.
Ajai Kumar Chhawchharia in his "The Mahavakyas of the Upanishads" compliments the above.
Tavayogi wrote,"Brahm would be like the primary Atom which left to itself is neutral and inactive. It is only when certain changes take place in its core, such as the shift in the position of its electron, etc that the chain of reaction starts that would ultimately result in not only producing newer elements but releasing energy or absorbing matter from the surrounding atmosphere. The Varaaha Upanishad, Canto 1 is entirely dedicated to enumerating the Tattwas, starting from a single universal element that is known as the Param Tattwa, the Supreme Essence, to the 96 Tattwas. From these primary elements came forth the secondary elements that form the second layer of elements or Tattvas of creation. Finally came the tertiary elements - the various Anatahakarans, the various Vikaars and Vrittis, the three Gunas, etc, that would form the third layer of elements or Tattvas of creation."
பரமாணுவினால் பஞ்சபூதம் உண்டானது. இவ்வுலகம் ஐம் பெரும் பூத அணுக்களால் ஆனது. இந்த ஐம்பூத அணுக்களில் உள்ள ஒவ்வொரு அணுவிலும் 96 தத்துவங்கள் அமைந்துள்ளன. இந்த தத்துவங்களே மனித சரீரத்தில் செயல்படுகின்றன.
From the first atom, the Paramanu, the Pancha Maha Bhutam came forth. The world emerged with these 5 atoms coming together. Each atom carried 96 Tattvas. These Tattvas function in our bodies too.
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tattva_(Shaivism) we understand the creation of the tattvas as follows.
The vibrant creative energy of Parashiva, known as Spanda, in wanting to execute his lila or divine play, moves him to manifest and descent to the state of jiva, through the 36 tattvas. Tattvas are used to explain the structure and origin of the Universe. They are usually divided into three groups: Suddha (pure tattvas); Suddha Asuddha (pure-impure tattvas); and Asuddha (impure tattvas).
Suddha tattvas that are 5 in numbers are functioning in the absolute level which leads to the Five Acts or Panchakritya namely: Creation; Sustenance; Destruction; Concealment; and Grace.
Ajai Kumar Chhawchharia writes that "These tattvas form the basis for the growth, sustenance, and the proper functioning of all the regulatory systems within us for the continued dwelling and inhabitation of the spirit and soul within."
The Suddha tattvas that are called pure because they are directly created by Shiva himself, describe internal aspects of the Absolute which is in its pure conscious state devoid of any desire (iccha), action (kriya) or Knowledge (jnana) related properties. This is the state of Siva.
Ajai Kumar Chhawchharia compliments this statement, "Brahm would be like the primary Atom which left to itself is neutral and inactive.
When Siva pairs with Sakti, the pairing of Siva-Sakti that is a result of desire or iccha, causes the creation of all the lower tattvas (Padaital). This pair has the two properties of jnana and kriya respectively.
Ajai Kumar Chhawchharia compliments this adding that
"It is only when certain changes take place in its core, such as the shift in the position of its electron, etc that the chain of reaction starts that would ultimately result in not only producing newer elements but releasing energy or absorbing matter from the surrounding atmosphere. From the primary elements came forth the secondary elements that form the second layer of elements or Tattvas of creation."
Similarly, at our level, a desire that stems or arises leads to an action that results in knowledge or lesson or experience.
When kriyasakti and jnanasakti of the Absolute are in equilibrium aham or self appears (Sustainance or Kaathal). This is Sadasiva tattva or Nada tattva. After the initial chaous and when things begin to settle "came the tertiary elements - the various Anatahakarans, the various Vikaars and Vrittis, the three Gunas, etc, that would form the third layer of elements or Tattvas of creation."
The objectivation of self-awareness that "this is me"", gives rise to delusion or concealment (Maraital). This is Bindu tattva.
The acknowledgment that “I am this,” happens in Suddha Vidya or by the grace of the divine (Arulal)
Surrender to the divine will, acknowledging that it is all his doing, performing the given tasks without taking credit for it, rather seeing oneself just as a tool in his hands, bringing upon us to drop the self-awareness that originally was held by us that "This is me and all my doing", shall bring the divine or guru to draw the curtain or veil that gives rise to this delusion or concealment. Once the curtain is drawn aside, what remains is the pure awareness of "I am this."
The Suddha Asuddha tattvas, (or as Ramalinga Adigal calls it Vishnu tattvas), 7 in total, are described as the "instruments" that assist the souls or Purusha in its liberation. It pairs with Maya that hides the divine nature of created beings creating a sense of separateness from each other and the Divine too. Hence the need of the guru to come along and draw the curtain or veil aside to expose the truth.
The Asuddha tattvas (or Brahma Tattwas as Ramalinga Adigal names them), include the universe and living beings that assist the existence of the soul. Asuddha tattvas numbering 24 are aspects of the Universe and physical body. The five gross elements (mahabhuta) namely: earth, water, fire, air, ether, or space are part of the list of 24 principles.
Browsing through the numerous e-books that I had downloaded and saved for further reading, I came across the following explanation by Dr. C. Srinivasan in his book "An Introduction to the Philosophy of Ramalinga Swami", published by Ilakkia Nilayam Trichy, 1968. What better place to understand this subject then to turn to Ramalinga Adigal himself.
Ramalinga Adigal lists out the three bondages that shackle man. Srinivasan explains.
The bondages of human beings are according to the Swami, with regard to the body or தேகப்பற்று, to the soul or ஜீவப்பற்று and to the enjoyment which one expects in these or போகப்பற்று. These bondages are thirty-six in number.We are given the means too to break the hold of these three bondages for good.
The first step is to remove the bonds one by one. They are estimated to be ninety-six although they are generally known to be briefly thirty-six.
Brahma Thathvam or மலரோன் தத்துவம் that is made of 24 elements.
(5 Elements): 1. Space 2. Air 3. Fire 4. Water 5. Earth
(5 Sense Organs): 6. Body (Skin) 7. Tongue 8. Eyes 9. Nose 10. Ears
(5 Perception of Senses): 11. Sensitivity (Touch) 12. Taste 13. Sight (Vision) 14. Smell 15. Hearing
(5 Motor Organs): 16. Mouth 17. Feet (legs) 18. Hands 19. Anus (Rectum) 20. Sex organ
(4 Intelectual faculties) 21. Manam (மனம்) or Mind 22. Buddhi (புத்தி) or Intellect 23. Sitham (சித்தம்) or Subconscious mind 24. Ahangaram (அகங்காரம்) or Ego
Vishnu Thathvam or மாலோன் தத்துவம் that is made of 7 elements.
(...) 25. Kalai (கலை) 26. Viddhai (வித்தை) 27. Aragam (அராகம்) 28. Niyathi (நியதி) 29. Time (காலம்) 30. Mohini (மோகினி) 31. Purusha (புருஷன்)
Suddha Thathvam or சுத்த தத்துவம் that is made of 5 elements.
(...) 32. Suddha Viddhai (சுத்த வித்தை) 33. Eswaram (ஈசுரம்) 34. Sadakkiyam (சதாக்கியம்) 35. Vindu (விந்து) 36. Nadam (நாதம்)The remaining tattvas can be referred to at https://arganesh3.wordpress.com/2012/07/26/human-body-96-basic-principles/