Observations placeholder
Svetasvatara Upanishad
Identifier
000807
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
Svetasvatara Upanishad
And they saw the Wheel of his power made of one circle, three layers, sixteen parts, fifty spokes, twenty counter-spokes, six groups of eight, three paths, one rope of innumerable strands and the great illusion:
Three layers – the 3 constituents of nature; light fire and darkness
Sixteen parts or segments of the rim of the Wheel – the 5 elements, 5 means to know, 5 means to do, and the mind
Fifty spokes – 50 states of consciousness as taught in the Sankhya wisdom: 5 kinds of error, 28 of weakness, 9 of joy and 8 achievement
Twenty counter-spokes – 10 senses and their 10 objects
Six groups of eight – forms of nature, constituents of the body, powers of Yoga, modes of feeling, god, and virtues
Three paths – the Yoga of light, love and of life
One rope of innumerable strands – desire of innumerable forms
The great illusion – the illusion which sees the ONE as two
They also saw the river of life impetuously rushing with the five streams of sense-feelings which come from five sources, the five elements. Its waves are moved by five breathing winds and its origin is a fivefold fountain of consciousness. The river has five whirlpools and the violent waves of five sorrows. It has five stages of pain and five dangerous windings and turnings.
In this vast Wheel of creation wherein all things live and die, wanders round the human soul like a swan in restless flying, and she thinks that God is afar. But when the love of God comes down upon her, then she finds her own immortal life
The source of the experience
Upanishads, theConcepts, symbols and science items
Concepts
AetherAir
Chakras
Earth
Elements
Fire
Five senses system
Levels and layers
Light
Mind
Spirit
Water
Symbols
AetherAir
Cross
Darkness and Light
Earth
Elements
Fire
Fountain
Inward court
Light
Outward court
Rivers and streams
Rope
Water
Waves
Wheel
Whirlpool
Wind