From Eastern Sikh Esotericsm - The Five Tattvas

Five Tattvas

Skt., pancatattva; five qualities

The Five Tattvas are the elements from which you are made.


Although India does have a term for the 'Five Elements' (Skt., mahabhutas) as they are known in Western Alchemy, the major 'elemental' system is known as pancatattva; speaking of nature's qualities rather than elements in the sense of substances. Although this constitutes a marked difference in philosophical conceptualization, the tattvas are usually regarded as equivalents to the five elements known in the West (a system that has actually heavily borrowed from the East). The 5th Western element ether then corresponds to the space in the Indian tattva's and in the Tibetan system deriving from it.

Tejas Fire Red triangle fiery, vital Skt., tejah

Apas Water silver crescent liquid, fluid Skt., apas

Vaju Air Blue circle wind, air Skt., vayu

Prithivi Earth Yellow square wide, extended Skt., prthvi

Akasha Space Black egg all-pervading Skt., akasa

In Sikh Kundalini Yoga, practitioners are able to utilize knowledge of the Tattvas for spiritual empowerment.  Through mantra and yogic breathing, practitioners can and do  manifest seemingly magical transformations in their daily state of BEing by commanding the Tattvas within their light (etheric, energetic) bodies.

Earth corresponds with the First Chakra. Although this Chakra’s energy is associated with elimination, the projection of Earth is greed to acquire. This leads to heaviness, fixity and depression. Re-channel greed from acquiring material possessions to acquiring the qualities of a great person.

Water corresponds with the Second Chakra, which we associate with creativity. The projection of Water is lust, which leads to guilt, delusion and pitilessness. Re-channel lust from exploitation to service that fosters creativity and affection.

Fire corresponds with the Third Chakra, which we associate with our personal power and the digestive organs. The projection of fire is the desire to control, which leads to fear and anger. Re-channel anger from others onto your own negativity; not in a self-destructive shaming way, but one that uses that energy for purification.

Air (Wind*) corresponds with the Fourth Chakra, which we associate with the Heart. The projection of Air is attachment (“I have my heart set on…”) to earthly possessions. Note the distinction regarding earthly possessions between Earth (greed, or the desire to acquire) and Air! Attachment to things leads to anxiety and indecisiveness. Re-channel attachment from specific things to the whole Universe. Love ideas and ideals, become attached to happiness and health and your connection to the divine.

Ether corresponds with the Fifth Chakra, which we associate with the Throat and speaking and hearing Truth. Your small “t” truth contains your sense of self, and may lead to egomania. Re-channel your sense of the ego, or the small, transitory self into the capital T Truth of oneness with the Infinite Being which is all that there is.

* In the early days of his teaching Yogi Bhajan sometimes said Wind instead of Air. As his philosophy became systematized in order to make it more coherent in the setting of institution and school, teachers settled upon Air as the preferred choice. Some of the old timers haven’t picked up on this and may “correct” you if you speak about the Air Tattva. Think of it as your opportunity to practice compassion and humility!

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Five Tibetan Elements

In Tibet, each of the elements is associated with one of the five so-called Buddha-Families, with a pure color and with one of the five directions. The elements themselves are identical with the Indian Five Tattvas, yet some associations, for example color, are different.

AIR	EARTH	SPACE	FIRE	WATER
rlung gaseous, wind karma  Green North	sa solidity ratna  Yellow South	nam-mkha'i khams space, sky buddha  White Center	me heat padma Red West	chu liquid, fluidity vajra  Blue East

Five Buddha Families

Skt., buddhakula  -   Tib., sangs-rgyas kyi-rigs

Also known as the "Five Families" or simply as "Buddha Families", this is a system of classification according to which Buddhas (and other deities), symbols, ritual implements etc. are arranged and associated, including associations with colors, directions and elements.

To a practiced initiate, only one associated keyword is necessary to mentally evoke all other associations; an ability that is necessary for the visualization of individual deities and/or complete mandalas.

Below the major associations of the "Five Families" 

Top to bottom:   Sanskrit, English, Tibetan, Symbol, Direction, Color, Buddha and Dakini

buddha	vajra	ratna	padma	karma
awakening	diamond	jewel/gem	lotus	action
nam-mkha'	rdo-rje	rin-chen	pad-ma	phrin-las
space, sky	dorje	wishfulfilling jewel	lotus	sword
center	east	south	west	north
white	blue	yellow	red	green
Vairocana	Aksobhya	Ratnasambhava	Amitabha	Amoghasiddhi
Akashadhatvishvari	Locana	Mamaki	Pandaravasini	Samayatara

Colors & Directions: 

Tibetan System of Five

redWest Tib., nub yellowSouth Tib., lho whiteCenter greenNorth Tib., byang blueEast Tib., shar

Extrapolated from the full system of nine directions, without any changes but leaving out the intermediate directions, this system of five is shown here merely for a clear view and because the five is an often occurring number in Tibet; for example the five elements and the Five Buddha-Families.

The scheme shown here also fits the attributes of the Five Wisdom Dakinis and the Five Krodeshvari.

These five colors also constitute the Tibetan concept of the Rainbow and the Rainbow Body.

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Continue to my next blog about how to master your Five Tattvas ...

The guru is in you.  


Sat Nam!