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'''Pradhāna''' (devanāgarī: प्रधान) is a [[Sanskrit]] adjective meaning "most important, prime, chief or major," and refers to the chief cause of the material nature, the original root of matter, the homogeneous prime matter from which the cosmos is created. According to the [[Sāṃkhya]] School, in Pradhana the three [[Guṇa]]s (''sattva'', ''rajas'' and ''tamas'') are in state of equilibrium.
'''Pradhāna''' (devanāgarī: प्रधान) is a [[Sanskrit]] adjective meaning "most important, prime, chief or major," and refers to the chief cause of the material nature, the original root of matter, the homogeneous prime matter from which the cosmos is created. According to the [[Sāṃkhya]] School, in Pradhana the three [[Guṇa]]s (''sattva'', ''rajas'' and ''tamas'') are in state of equilibrium.


[[H. P. Blavatsky]] defined it as follows:
In [[Hinduism]], Pradhana is frequently identified with [[Prakṛti]]. However, [[H. P. Blavatsky]] said that this is not correct, since "Prakriti [is] an aspect of Pradhana."<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Secret Doctrine'' vol. I, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 50.</ref> She defined it as follows:


<blockquote>Pradhâna (Sk.). Undifferentiated substance, called elsewhere and in other schools--[[Ākāśa|Akâsa]]; and [[Mūlaprakṛti|Mulaprakriti]] or Root of Matter by the [[Vedānta|Vedantins]]. In short, Primeval Matter.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Theosophical Glossary'' (Krotona, CA: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 259.</ref></blockquote>
<blockquote>Pradhâna (Sk.). Undifferentiated substance, called elsewhere and in other schools--[[Ākāśa|Akâsa]]; and [[Mūlaprakṛti|Mulaprakriti]] or Root of Matter by the [[Vedānta|Vedantins]]. In short, Primeval Matter.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Theosophical Glossary'' (Krotona, CA: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 259.</ref></blockquote>

Revision as of 21:29, 5 May 2016

Pradhāna (devanāgarī: प्रधान) is a Sanskrit adjective meaning "most important, prime, chief or major," and refers to the chief cause of the material nature, the original root of matter, the homogeneous prime matter from which the cosmos is created. According to the Sāṃkhya School, in Pradhana the three Guṇas (sattva, rajas and tamas) are in state of equilibrium.

In Hinduism, Pradhana is frequently identified with Prakṛti. However, H. P. Blavatsky said that this is not correct, since "Prakriti [is] an aspect of Pradhana."[1] She defined it as follows:

Pradhâna (Sk.). Undifferentiated substance, called elsewhere and in other schools--Akâsa; and Mulaprakriti or Root of Matter by the Vedantins. In short, Primeval Matter.[2]

Notes

  1. Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, The Secret Doctrine vol. I, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 50.
  2. Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, The Theosophical Glossary (Krotona, CA: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 259.