Mahat
Mahat (devanāgarī: महत्) is a Sanskrit term frequently translated as "the great principle" (from maha, "great"). It refers to the universal mind and in Hinduism is the first principle evolved out of the union of purusha and prakriti.
In Hinduism
Mahat is an important concept of the sāṃkhya philosophy. It is the first product of evolution of Pradhāna or Prakṛti (basic inert matter) comprising the three Guṇas—sattva, rajas and tamas.
In its cosmic aspect, Mahat is the source of the cosmos. In its psychological aspect it is the cosmic intellect (Maha-Buddhi), from which the individual Buddhi-s are produced in the course of time.
In Theosophy
In Theosophy, Mahat is called "Universal Mind"[1] or the "Cosmic Ideation".[2] It is the universal intelligence, which is not eternal, but limited by the duration of the manvantara.[3] Mahat is also equated to the Third Logos (the manifested one):
Mahat, in the Esoteric interpretations, is in reality the Third Logos or the Synthesis of the Seven creative rays, the Seven Logoi.[4]
Some synonyms used in The Secret Doctrine are Universal Mind, Cosmic Mind, Cosmic Ideation, Divine Ideation, Divine Thought, Mahâbuddhi, and Ādi-Buddhi.
See also
Online resources
- Mahat at Theosopedia
Notes
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Collected Writings vol. XII (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1980), 412.
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, The Secret Doctrine vol. I, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 16.
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Secret Doctrine vol. I, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 62.
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Collected Writings vol. X (Adyar, Madras: Theosophical Publishing House, 1964), 608.