Round

A Round is a cosmic cycle of evolution in a Planetary Chain (see Chains and Rounds), in which the Monads begin their journey on the first and most subtle Globe (called Globe A) of the series of seven. Finishing their evolution there they proceed to the next globe, and so on, until the seventh globe (Globe G or Z) is reached. After a Round is over the Monads rest in a state Nirvana until the time for a new Round comes. Each round develops fully one of the human principles. Seven of these Rounds are necessary to complete the evolution in a given Planetary Chain.

The seven Rounds decrease and increase in their respective durations, as well as the seven races in each. Thus the 4th Rounds as well as every 4h race are the shortest, while the 1st and 7th Rounds as the 1st and 7th root races are the longest.

First Round

Thus, in the first Round, the globe, having been built by the primitive fire-lives, i.e., formed into a sphere—had no solidity, nor qualifications, save a cold brightness, nor form nor colour; it is only towards the end of the First Round that it developed one Element which from its inorganic, so to say, or simple Essence became now in our Round the fire we know throughout the system. The Earth was in her first rupa, the essence of which is the Akâsic principle, that which is now known as, and very erroneously termed, Astral Light.

Regarding the human evolution during the Rounds, Mahatma K.H. wrote:

1st Round. — An ethereal being — non-intelligent, but super-spiritual. In each of the subsequent races and sub-races and minor races of evolution he grows more and more into an encased or incarnate being, but still preponderatingly etherial. And like the animal and vegetable he develops monstrous bodies correspondential with his coarse surroundings.

In the first round his consciousness on our earth is dull and but feeble and shadowy, something like that of an infant.

Second Round

The Second Round brings into manifestation the second element—AIR, that element, the purity of which would ensure continuous life to him who would use it. “From the second Round, Earth—hitherto a fœtus in the matrix of Space—began its real existence: it had developed individual sentient life, its second principle. The second corresponds to the sixth (principle); the second is life continuous, the other, temporary.”

Regarding the human evolution during the Rounds, Mahatma K.H. wrote:

2nd Round. — He is still gigantic and etherial, but growing firmer and more condensed in body — a more physical man, yet still less intelligent than spiritual; for mind is a slower and more difficult evolution than the physical frame and the mind would not develop as rapidly as the body.

When he reaches our earth in the second round he has become responsible in a degree.

Third Round

The Third Round developed the third Principle—WATER.

Regarding the human evolution during the Rounds, Mahatma K.H. wrote:

3rd Round. — He has now a perfectly concrete or compacted body; at first the form of a giant ape, and more intelligent (or rather cunning) than spiritual. For in the downward arc he has now reached the point where his primordial spirituality is eclipsed or over-shadowed by nascent mentality. In the last half of this third round his gigantic stature decreases, his body improves in texture (perhaps the microscope might help to demonstrate this) and he becomes a more rational being — though still more an ape than a Deva man.

The Mahatma wrote that in the third Round man becomes entirely responsible.

Fourth Round

The Fourth [Round] transformed the gaseous fluids and plastic form of our globe into the hard, crusted, grossly material sphere we are living on. “Bhumi” [the Earth] has reached her fourth principle. Earth will reach her true ultimate form—(inversely in this to man)—her body shell—only toward the end of the manvantara after the Seventh Round. Our globe is, so far, in its Kamarupic state—the astral body of desires of Ahamkara, dark Egotism, the progeny of Mahat, on the lower plane. . . .

Regarding the human evolution during the Rounds, Mahatma K.H. wrote:

Then it is but at his fourth round, when arrived at the full possession of his Kama-energy and completely matured, that man becomes fully responsible.

4th round. — Intellect has an enormous development in this round. The dumb races will acquire our human speech, on our globe, on which from the 4th race language is perfected and knowledge in physical things increases. At this half-way point of the fourth round, Humanity passes the axial point of the minor manwantaric circle. (Moreover, at the middle point of every major or root race evolution of each round, man passes the equator of his course on that planet, the same rule applying to the whole evolution or the seven rounds of the minor Manwantara — 7 rounds divided by 2 = 3 1/2 rounds). At this point then the world teems with the results of intellectual activity and spiritual decrease. In the first half of the fourth race, sciences, arts, literature and philosophy were born, eclipsed in one nation, reborn in another. Civilization and intellectual development whirling in septenary cycles as the rest; while it is but in the latter half that the spiritual Ego will begin its real struggle with body and mind to manifest its transcendental powers. Who will help in the forthcoming gigantic struggle? Who? Happy the man who helps a helping hand.

The last seventh Race will have its Buddha as every one of its predecessors had; but, its adepts will be far higher than any of the present race, for among them will abide the future Planetary, the Dhyan Chohan whose duty it will be to instruct or "refresh the memory" of the first race of the fifth Round men after this planet's future obscuration.

Fifth Round

5th Round. — The same relative development, and the same struggle continues.

Sixth Round

The Mahatma Letters state that during the sixth Round human development will be such that a portion of humanity will attain Buddhahood. This is why it is said that Gautama Buddha is a "sixth rounder". However, his incarnation during the fourth round is an exception. The law of cyclic evolution does not allow human beings who are more than one round ahead of the rest of humanity to take physical birth:

Our Lord Buddha — a 6th r. man — would not have appeared in our epoch, great as were his accumulated merits in previous rebirths but for a mystery. . . . Individuals cannot outstrip the humanity of their round any further than by one remove, for it is mathematically impossible — you say (in effect): if the fountain of life flows ceaselessly there should be men of all rounds on the earth at all times, etc. The hint about planetary rest may dispel the misconception on this head.

Normally, individuals like Gautama would have to wait in a state of nirvāṇa until the appropriate cycle of evolution is reached, before they can incarnate.

Seventh Round

At the seventh [Round] before the Pralaya — a “Dhyan Chohan.”

Further reading

• Human Evolution Through the Rounds at Theosopedia