This collage represents the 36 elements of this world according to the teachings of Kashmir Shaivism, which I have been studying for some time. I find it very exiting.
Beginning on the bottom from the left are the five great elements of earth[1], water[2], fire[3], air[4] and ether[5].
In the next row above them are the corresponding five subtle elements of smell[6], taste[7], form[8], touch[9] and sound[10].
On the left side are the Five Organs of Action: creative[11], excretion[12], foot[13] (locomotion), hands[14] and speech[15].
On the right side are the corresponding Five Organs of Cognition: nose[16] - organ of smelling, tongue[17] - organ of tasting, eye[18] - organ of seeing, skin[19] - organ of sensation, ear[20] - organ of hearing.
The five triangles on the top represent the three Internal Organs of mind[21], ego[22] and intellect[23], along with the elements of prakriti[24] (nature) and purusha[25] (the limited soul).
Next are the Six Coverings (limitations) represented by triangles pointing towards the center. They are limitations of place[26], time[27], attachment[28], knowledge[29], creativity[30] and individuality[31].
The three squares in the middle of the collage are the Pure Elements called Shuddhavidya[32], Ishvara[33] and Sadashiva[34]. Last but not least are the two interwoven triangles of Shakti[35] and Shiva[36] (Energy and the Energy holder). |
