Tattva Ontology Relationships

Complete mapping of relationships in Trika-Śākta philosophy

Understanding Tattva Relationships

In the Trika-Śākta system, tattvas are connected through various types of ontological relationships that describe how consciousness unfolds into manifestation and how different levels of reality interact. These relationships form the structural framework of cosmic manifestation.

Emanation (Sṛṣṭi)

The primary cosmological unfolding where higher tattvas give rise to lower ones through self-projection. This is the fundamental creative movement from subtle to gross.

Limitation (Saṃkoca)

The process by which infinite consciousness self-limits through the kañcukas and māyā, creating the experience of finitude and individuality.

Transformation (Pariṇāma)

Real modification where one tattva actually transforms into another, particularly in the realm of prakṛti and its evolutes.

Polarity (Dvandva)

Complementary opposites that create dynamic tension and movement, like Śiva-Śakti, prakāśa-vimarśa, or bhokta-bhogya.

Containment (Vyāpti)

Higher tattvas pervade and contain lower ones, with each level including all subsequent manifestations within itself.

Correspondence (Sāmya)

Structural similarities and mappings between different levels, showing how microcosm reflects macrocosm.

Reflection (Ābhāsa)

Consciousness appearing as different levels through self-reflection, where lower tattvas mirror higher realities.

Causation (Kāraṇa)

Various causal relationships including material (upādāna), efficient (nimitta), and instrumental (karaṇa) causes.

All Relations

Emanation Paths

Relationship Matrix

Special Relations

All

Emanation

Limitation

Transformation

Polarity

Containment

Correspondence

Reflection

Causation

Source Tattva	Relation Type	Target Tattva	Description
Śiva	Emanation	Sadāśiva	Pure consciousness begins to experience itself as "I am this"
Śakti	Emanation	Sadāśiva	Dynamic power manifests the first differentiation
Sadāśiva	Emanation	Īśvara	"I am this" evolves to "This am I" - object becomes prominent
Īśvara	Emanation	Śuddha Vidyā	Subject-object distinction balances in pure knowledge
Śuddha Vidyā	Emanation	Māyā	Pure knowledge becomes veiled, creating limitation
Māyā	Emanation	Puruṣa	Through limitations, universal becomes individual
Puruṣa	Emanation	Prakṛti	Limited consciousness encounters primordial matter
Prakṛti	Transformation	Buddhi	Real modification (pariṇāma) - first evolute of matter
Buddhi	Transformation	Ahaṃkāra	Intelligence transforms into ego-principle
Ahaṃkāra	Transformation	Manas	Ego transforms into mind and senses
Śiva	Polarity	Śakti	Static consciousness and dynamic power - inseparable unity
Sadāśiva	Polarity	Īśvara	Subject-emphasis vs Object-emphasis states
Puruṣa	Polarity	Prakṛti	Consciousness and matter - experiencer and experienced
Māyā	Limitation	Kalā	Creates limited agency from omnipotence
Māyā	Limitation	Vidyā	Creates limited knowledge from omniscience
Māyā	Limitation	Rāga	Creates attachment from fullness
Māyā	Limitation	Kāla	Creates temporal limitation from eternity
Māyā	Limitation	Niyati	Creates spatial/causal limitation from omnipresence
5 Kañchukas	Limitation	Puruṣa	Collective limitations bind the universal self
Jñānendriyas	Correspondence	Tanmātras	Sense organs correspond to subtle elements
Tanmātras	Correspondence	Mahābhūtas	Subtle elements manifest as gross elements
Karmendriyas	Correspondence	Mahābhūtas	Organs of action operate through gross elements
Kalā	Correspondence	Karmendriyas	Limited action manifests through organs of action
Śiva	Containment	All Tattvas	Pure consciousness contains all manifestation
Śakti	Containment	All Tattvas	Dynamic power pervades all levels
Prakṛti	Containment	23 Evolutes	Contains all material manifestations in potential
Śakti (as Kālī)	Transformation	Kāla	Kālī manifests as time principle
Kāla (Kālī)	Transformation	Māyā	Time power transforms through veiling
Śakti (as Kālī)	Transformation	All Dissolution	Kālī as power of dissolution at every level
Śiva	Reflection	Sadāśiva	Pure consciousness reflects as "I am" awareness
Śuddha Vidyā	Reflection	Vidyā	Pure knowledge reflects as limited knowledge
Buddhi	Reflection	5 Tanmātras	Intelligence reflects as subtle sense objects
Śiva-Śakti	Efficient Cause	All 36 Tattvas	Ultimate efficient cause of all manifestation
Māyā	Material Cause	5 Kañcukas	Māyā as material cause of limitations
Prakṛti	Material Cause	All Material Tattvas	Primordial matter as material cause
Kalā	Instrumental Cause	Limited Action	Instrument through which limited agency operates

Primary Emanation Paths

Śiva-Śakti → Sadāśiva → Īśvara → Śuddha Vidyā → Māyā

Māyā's Limitation Path

Māyā → 5 Kañchukas → Puruṣa → Prakṛti

Prakṛti's Evolution Path

Prakṛti → Buddhi → Ahaṃkāra → Manas

Ahaṃkāra's Triple Path

Ahaṃkāra → 5 Jñānendriyas (Sāttvika) 5 Karmendriyas (Rājasika) 5 Tanmātras (Tāmasika)

Element Manifestation Path

5 Tanmātras → 5 Mahābhūtas

Kālī's Transformation Paths

Śakti (as Kālī) ⟷ Kāla (Time) ⟷ Māyā (Transformation)

Relationship Matrix

Click any cell to see relationship details

Special Ontological Relations in Trika-Śākta

Relation Type	Sanskrit Term	Description	Examples
Identity/Non-difference	Abheda (अभेद)	Essential unity, non-duality	Śiva-Śakti at the highest level
Transformation	Pariṇāma (परिणाम)	Real modification of substance	Prakṛti → Buddhi → Ahaṃkāra
Apparent Transformation	Vivarta (विवर्त)	Illusory modification	Brahman appearing as world through Māyā
Reflection/Appearance	Ābhāsa (आभास)	Consciousness reflecting itself	Śiva → Sadāśiva (I-consciousness)
Contraction	Saṃkoca (संकोच)	Self-limitation of the infinite	Universal → Individual through Kañchukas
Expansion/Blossoming	Vikāsa (विकास)	Unfolding of potential	Seed (bīja) → Full manifestation
Pervasion	Vyāpti (व्याप्ति)	Higher pervades lower	Śiva pervades all 36 tattvas
Reflection/Mirror	Pratibimba (प्रतिबिम्ब)	Lower reflects higher	Microcosm reflects macrocosm

Kālī's Special Relations

Aspect	Related Tattvas	Nature of Relation
Kālī as Mahākālī	Śiva-Śakti level	Transcendent time, beyond all tattvas
Kālī as Kālarātrī	Kāla tattva	Night of time, dissolution principle
Kālī as Mahāmāyā	Māyā tattva	Great veiling and revealing power
Kālī as Cāmuṇḍā	Ahaṃkāra level	Destroyer of ego and its productions
Kālī as Bhūtanāthā	5 Mahābhūtas	Lord of elements, material dissolution