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'''Ākāśa''' (devanāgarī: आकाश) is a [[Sanskrit]] word meaning "[[space]]", and in [[Hinduism]] it is the first (and highest) [[Elements#In Hinduism|element]] (''mahābhūta'') in creation, after which follow four more (Air, Fire, Water, and Earth).
#redirect [[Akasha]]
 
== In Hinduism ==
 
In [[Hinduism]] Akasha (often translated as "space", "ether", or even "sky") is the chief and more subtle of the "five elements" (Panchamahabhuta). It is the first to be created, and forms the basis and essence of all things in the visible universe. In this sense, it is regarded as the one, eternal, and all pervading imperceptible substance. Its main characteristic or property is Shabda (sound), of which it is the substratum.
 
== Theosophical view ==
 
[[H. P. Blavatsky]] defined it as follows:
 
<blockquote>'''Âkâsa''' (''Sk.''). The subtle, supersensuous spiritual essence which pervades all space; the primordial substance erroneously identified with [[Ether]]. But it is to Ether what [[Spirit]] is to [[Matter]], or [[Ātman|Âtmâ]] to [[Kāma|Kâma-rûpa]]. It is, in fact, the Universal Space in which lies inherent the eternal Ideation of the Universe in its ever-changing aspects on the planes of matter and objectivity, and from which radiates the First [[Logos]], or expressed thought. This is why it is stated in the Purânas that Âkâsa has but one attribute, namely sound, for sound is but the translated symbol of Logos--“Speech” in its mystic sense.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Theosophical Glossary'' (Krotona, CA: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 13.</ref></blockquote>
 
Akasha is frequently identified with the cosmic [[fifth principle]] (counting from below upwards):
 
<blockquote>Akâsa—of which Ether is the grossest form—the fifth universal Cosmic [[Principle]] (to which corresponds and from which proceeds human [[Manas]]).<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Secret Doctrine'' vol. I, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), fn. 13.</ref></blockquote>
 
This principle is sometimes referred to as primordial or cosmic ''substance'', which is the vehicle of the [[Logos#Divine Thought|Divine Thought]], or [[Mahat|Cosmic Ideation]].<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Secret Doctrine'' vol. I, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 326.</ref> It is the higher aspect of the manifested [[cosmic matter]] or [[Prakriti]]:
 
<blockquote>The Tibetan esoteric Buddhist doctrine teaches that Prakriti is cosmic matter, out of which all visible forms are produced; and Akâsa that same cosmic matter—but still more imponderable, its spirit, as it were, “Prakriti” being the body or substance, and Akâsa-Sakti its soul or energy.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. III (Wheaton, Ill: Theosophical Publishing House, 1968), fn. 405.</ref></blockquote>
 
<blockquote>Akâsa, then, is Pradhâna in another form. . . . It is, as said, the [[noumenon]] of the seven-fold differentiated Prakriti.* (* In the Sankhya philosophy, the seven Prakritis or “productive productions” are Mahat, Ahamkara, and the five tanmatras.  See “Sankhya-kârika,” III., and the commentary thereon).<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Secret Doctrine'' vol. I, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 256.</ref></blockquote>
 
After a [[Pralaya|Maha-pralaya]] Akasha is "resolved back again into the primary state of abstract potential objectivity" ([[mulaprakriti]]). When the [[manvantara|manvantaric]] impulse re-awakens and Akasha is evolved, it becomes the [[upadhi]] of the [[cosmic ideation]].<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Secret Doctrine'' vol. I, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 328.</ref>
 
In the [[Esotericism|esoteric]] view akasha is septenary as anything else in the cosmos:
 
<blockquote>The realm of Akâsa is the undifferentiated noumenal and abstract Space which will be occupied by Chidakasam, the field of primordial consciousness. It has several degrees, however, in Occult philosophy; in fact, “seven fields.” The first is the field of latent consciousness which is coeval with the duration of the first and second unmanifested Logoi. It is the “Light which shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehended it not” of St. John’s Gospel. When the hour strikes for the [[Logos#Third Logos|Third Logos]] to appear, then from the latent potentiality there radiates a lower field of differentiated consciousness, which is Mahat, or the entire collectivity of those [[Dhyāni-Chohan|Dhyan-Chohans]] of sentient life of which [[Fohat]] is the representative on the objective plane and the [[Mānasaputra|Manasaputras]] on the subjective. The [[Astral Light]] is that which mirrors the three higher [[plane]]s of consciousness, and is above the lower, or terrestrial plane; therefore it does not extend beyond the fourth plane, where, one may say, the Akâsa begins.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. X (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1988), 360.</ref></blockquote>
 
=== Akasha and magic ===
 
Akasha is connected with the power behind all magical operation. Mme. Blavatsky wrote:
 
<blockquote>In the same sacrifice (the Jyotishtoma Agnishtoma) it is called the “God Âkâsa”. In these sacrificial mysteries Âkâsa is the all-directing and omnipotent Deva who plays the part of Sadasya, the superintendent over the magical effects of the religious performance, and it had its own appointed Hotri (priest) in days of old, who took its name. The Âkâsa is the indispensable agent of every Krityâ (magical performance) religious or profane. The expression ”to stir up the Brahmâ”, means to stir up the power which lies latent at the bottom of every magical operation, Vedic sacrifices being in fact nothing if not ceremonial magic. This power is the Âkâsa--in another aspect, Kundalini--occult electricity, the alkahest of the alchemists in one sense, or the universal solvent, the same anima mundi on the higher plane as the astral light is on the lower.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Theosophical Glossary'' (Krotona, CA: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 13.</ref></blockquote>
 
== Notes ==
 
<references/>
 
==Further reading==
 
*[http://www.theosophy.ph/encyclo/index.php?title=%C4%80k%C4%81%C5%9Ba# Ākāśa] at Theosopedia
 
[[Category:Sanskrit terms]]
[[Category:Theosophical concepts|Akasa]]
[[Category:Concepts in The Secret Doctrine|Akasa]]
[[Category:Hindu concepts]]

Latest revision as of 18:47, 29 June 2017

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