Three Forces of Transformation within Dark Matter

As the engine of the Universe, Dark Matter is not fixed - it is constantly changing within Itself, although it appears to change not. These forces are described in Vedic texts, particularly the Bhagavad Gita, and Lord Krishna, the Dark Lord.

The fourfold order was created by Me according to the division of gunas and actions.

Though I am its author, know Me to be the non-doer, immutable

Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 4, verse 13

The entire creation is the interplay of the three gunas. When the primal equilibrium of sattva, rajas and tamas is disturbed, they begin to interact and creation begins. All three must be present in every aspect of creation because, with creation, the process of evolution begins and this needs two forces opposed to each other and one that is complementary to both.

Sattva and tamas are opposed to each other, while rajas is the force complementary to both. Tamas destroys the created state; sattva creates a new state while the first is being destroyed. In this way, through the simultaneous process of creation and destruction, the process of evolution is carried on. The force of rajas plays a necessary but neutral part in creation and destruction; it maintains a bond between the forces of sattva and tamas. Thus all three gunas are necessary for any state of manifested life.

fourfold order': mathematically, the three gunas may combine with each other in six possible ways. The first Guna is the primary element, and the other is the secondary element.

  1. Sattva - Rajas
  2. Sattva - Tamas
  3. Rajas - Sattva
  4. Rajas - Tamas
  5. Tamas - Sattva
  6. Tamas - Rajas

Combinations of 2 and 5 are not possible because of the contrast in the nature of sattva and tamas. Thus the three gunas have only four possible combinations.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, The Bhagavad Gita: Chapters 1-6

Maharishi's commentary on the three gunas emphasise the need for tension between opposing forces necessary for creation, which echoes the cardinal rule of Elemental Dignities, namely 'Fire and Water are enemies'. Inspection of the four combinations of the three gunas suggests a possible correlation between them and the four elements:

  • Fire: Sattva - Rajas
  • Air: Rajas - Sattva
  • Water: Rajas - Tamas
  • Earth: Tamas - Rajas

Vedic philosophers have been analysing the characteristics of the three gunas and four elements for thousands of years. Below I have summarised two such systems - Vaisheshika and Sankhya, to show the breadth and depth that is possible.

Vaisheshika

Vaisheshika is the system expounded by Kanada. This analyses the special qualities which distinguish an object from other objects. There are nine substances which form the basis of all creation.

Earth - Prithivi
Odour
Water - Apas
Taste, tongue - organ of speech
Fire - Tejas
Sight
Air - Vayu
Touch
Space - Akasha
Sound
Time - Kala
Sequence, simultaneity, speed, slowness
Direction - Dik
North, South, East, West, Above, Below, (here, there, far, near)
Mind - Manas
Connects the Soul to the objects and their senses.
Soul
Atman
Prana
Ascending life breath
Apana
Descending life breath
Nimesha
Closing the eyelids
Unmesha
Opening the eyelids
Jivana
Life
Manogati
Mental activity
Indriyantara-vikara
Inner changes in the field of the senses
Sukha
Pleasure
Duhka
Pain
Iccha
Desire
Prayatna
Effort

The eleven qualities of Atman give an indication of the effect that an object has on the Soul.

Sankhya

Expounded by Kapila, this system of philosophy says that knowledge of an object will not be complete without the knowledge of its components. There are twenty-five categories at the basis of creation and evolution.

Purusha
Transcendent self, unchanging consciousness
Prakriti
Nature. The Three Gunas: Sattva, Rajas and Tamas
Mahat
Cosmic will setting creation into motion.
Ahamkara
Individuation of Mahat
Manas
Provides the object for Ahamkara

Senses of perception - Indriyas

  • Ears
  • Skin
  • Eyes
  • Tongue
  • Nose

Organs of action

  • Mouth
  • Hands
  • Sex organs
  • Excretory organs

Tanmatras

Sound
Shabda
Touch
Sparsha
Form
Rupa
Taste
Rasa
Smell
Gandha

Mahabutas

Space
Akasha
Fire
Tejas
Air
Vayu
Water
Apas
Earth
Prithivi

By now, you must be wondering what on earth this has to do with Tarot, and here is the answer:

0. The Fool

This card is attributed to the letter Aleph, which means an Ox, but by its shape the Hebrew letter (so it is said) represents a ploughshare; thus the significance is primarily phallic. It is the first of the the three Mother letters, Aleph, Mem, and Shin, which correspond in various interwoven fashions with all the triads that occur in these cards, notably Fire, Water, Air; Father, Mother, Son; Sulphur, Salt, Mercury; Rajas, Sattvas and Tamas.

Book of Thoth