Tattva

“That-ness”, “reality”, “principle”, “element”. The fundamental constituents of reality.

Systems of tattvas:

• Sāṅkhya (25 tattvas): Puruṣa, Prakṛti, Buddhi, Ahaṃkāra, Manas, 5 tanmātras, 5 jñānendriyas, 5 karmendriyas, 5 mahābhūtas.
• Śaiva Tantra (36 tattvas): Adds 11 higher tattvas from Śiva to Māyā.

The five mahābhūtas (gross elements):

1. Pṛthvī: Earth
2. Āpas/Jala: Water
3. Tejas/Agni: Fire
4. Vāyu: Air
5. Ākāśa: Space

Knowing the tattvas (tattva-jñāna) is understanding the structure of reality. In practice, each chakra is associated with a specific element.