Tattva Bodha

I. The Four Perfections

To the Master, the World-Soul, the Master of seekers for union, obeisance; to the teacher, the giver of wisdom.

We shall tell of the way of discerning reality, the perfection of freedom, for those who are fitted by possessing the Four Perfections.

• Viveka: Discernment between lasting and unlasting things.
• Vyragya: No rage for enjoying the fruit of works, either here or there.
• Sad Sampatti: Six graces that follow peace — Peace, Self-Control, Steadiness, Sturdiness, Confidence, Intentness.
• Mumukshutva: Longing to be free.

Through these four perfections, men are fitted to discern reality.

II. What is the Self?

The Self stands apart from the Physical, the Emotional, and the Causal Vestures; beyond the five Veils; witness of the three Modes. His own nature is Being, Consciousness, Bliss — this is the Self.

• Being: That which stands through the Three Times — Past, Present, Future.
• Consciousness: The own-nature of perceiving.
• Bliss: The own-nature of joy.

Thus let a man know that the own-nature of his own Self is Being, Consciousness, Bliss.

III. The Three Vestures

1. Physical Vesture (sthula sarira): Formed of the fivefold elements, born through works, it is the house where pleasure and pain are enjoyed.
2. Emotional Vesture (sookshma sarira): Formed of the non-fivefold elements, it consists of seventeen phases — the five powers of knowing, five of doing, five lives, emotion, and soul.
3. Causal Vesture (karana sarira): Born of beginningless unwisdom, it is the cause of the other two vestures.

IV. The Three Modes

• Waking (Jagrat): Knowledge comes through Hearing and other knowing powers.
• Dreaming (Swapna): The world appears in rest, generated by impressions of waking life.
• Dreamlessness (Sushupti): A state where one perceives nothing outwardly and enjoys bliss inwardly.

V. The Five Veils

• Food-formed (annamaya kosa)
• Life-formed (pranamaya kosa)
• Emotion-formed (manomaya kosa)
• Knowledge-formed (vijnanamaya kosa)
• Bliss-formed (anandamaya kosa)

VI. Maya, Life, and the Lord

There is an image of the Eternal, called the Life, who attributes himself to the vestures. Through the power of Nature, he sees the Lord as separate.

When wearing the disguise of Unwisdom, the Self is called the Life. When wearing the disguise of Glamor, the Self is called the Lord.

But the difference between Life and Lord is only apparent. In truth, both are pure Consciousness.

VII. The Free-in-Life (Jivanmukta)

He who realizes "I am stainless Being, Consciousness, Bliss," and knows this by direct perception, is Free-in-life.

Once the knowledge "I am the Eternal" arises, all bonds of deeds dissolve.

Three Kinds of Deeds:

• Deeds to come: Pure and impure actions done after wisdom is gained.
• Deeds accumulated: Actions waiting to manifest from past births.
• Deeds entered on: Actions experienced now and ended through experience.