Meaning of some terms in the context of the word ‘subtle’
‘Subtle’ is that which is beyond the comprehension of the five sense organs, mind and intellect. Various scriptures contain reference to subtle knowledge; for example,
भगवतो नारायणस्य साक्षान्महापुरुषस्य स्थविष्ठं रूपम् आत्ममायागुणमयम् अनुवर्णितम् आदृतः पठति शृणोति श्रावयति स उपगेयं भगवतः परमात्मनः अग्राह्यम् अपि श्रद्धाभक्तिविशुद्धबुद्धिः वेद । – Shrimadbhagawat, Skandha 5, Adhyaya 26, Sutra 38
Meaning : The nirguṇ (Non-materialised) form of God described in the Upanishads is beyond the comprehension of the mind and intellect. Despite this, the intellect of one who reads about or hears or narrates the physical form of God becomes pure due to his faith and devotion, and he gets the knowledge of God’s subtle form or he gets its spiritual experience.
Due to sadhana, the faith and devotion of Sanatan’s seekers have developed and they get the knowledge of His subtle form or get spiritual experiences of the subtle. In short, Sanatan seekers are getting the experience of the truth in the citation of our Holy scriptures. In the content published on this website some terms in respect of the word ‘subtle’ have been used at some places. Their explanation is given ahead.
1. Subtle-world
That which cannot not be comprehended by the five sense organs (Nose, tongue, eyes, skin and ears), but whose existence is comprehended by the one who performs sadhana is known as the ‘subtle-world’.
2. Seeing, hearing in the subtle etc. (Receiving knowledge through the five subtle sense organs)
The subtle-vision of some seekers is awakened, meaning, they can perceive what cannot be seen by the physical eyes, whereas some can hear sounds or words in the subtle.
3. Picture based on subtle-knowledge
What some seekers perceive or what they see through their subtle-vision in respect of an aspect is drawn on paper in the form of a picture, which is called a ‘Picture based on subtle-knowledge’.
4. Subtle-analysis
‘Subtle-analysis’ is that which the chitta (Subconscious mind) understands about an event or a process.
5. Experiments on subtle-knowledge
Some seekers study their ability to understand the subtle dimension through tests on ‘what they perceive about an object beyond the comprehension of the mind and intellect’. This is called an ‘Experiment on subtle-knowledge’.
Meaning of the expression ‘Negative energies causing distress to the seekers’
Positive as well as negative energies are active in the environment. Through sadhana, positive energies get attracted to a seeker. Due to sadhana the presence of positive energies increases in the environment and the power of negative energies decreases. To prevent this, the negative energies create obstacles in the seeker’s sadhana. There are many stories in the Atharvaveda about demons creating obstacles in the Yadnyas (Sacrificial fires) of Sages and Seers in the ancient times. ‘At many places in the Atharvaveda, mantras have been given to thwart demons, pishach (Spirit of a deceased individual) etc.’ (Note 1) One mantra is given ahead.
स्तुवानमग्न आ वह यातुधानं किमीदिनम् ।
त्वं हि देव वन्दितो हन्ता दस्योर्बभूविथ ।। – Atharvaveda, Kanda 1, Sukta 7, Khanda 1
Meaning : O Deity of fire ! You reside in all creatures in the form of fire in the stomach; You encompass the entire world in the form of lightning and You are the vanguard in any Yadnya. Please forward this oblation to the Deities who we worship ! Please bring us close to the Deities who praise the oblation we have offered, and get rid of the kimidin (A type of evil pishach) who is present around us in the subtle form with the desire to kill us ! O Deity ! You possess the qualities of offering etc., and upon obeisance to You, You annihilate the demons etc. who want to kill us; hence, You please call the demon ! Or, O praiseworthy Deity of fire ! For resisting (For avenging), please push the demon in this Energy.
In brief, negative energies cause distress to those who perform sadhana and various scriptures like the Vedas have recommended spiritual remedies to ward of such distresses. In the content ofthis website, the words ‘negative energies’ or ‘spiritual distress’ have been used at some places. They are used as per this explanation.
Note 1 : Reference : Marathi Vishwakosh, Vol. 1, Publisher : Maharashtra Rajya Sahitya Sanskruti Mandal, Sachivalaya, Mumbai – 400 032, Edition 1 (1976), Page 194.
If visitors do not understand some term/s in the content published on this website, they may please write to us. The term will be updated on this website.
The content of this website such as ‘black energy, distressing / mayavi (Illusory) / negative energy’ etc. are in the context of ‘Tama’ or ‘Tama component’ (as mentioned in our scriptures, for example, Shrimadbhagwadgita); words such as ‘black covering, waves / vibrations / particles’ denote ‘covering of Tama component / vibrations / particles’. The Sanskrut meaning of ‘Tama’ is darkness. Since darkness is black, Tama component has been described and depicted as black.
Unique Spiritual Terminology (Part 1)