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The Tattvas
Again according to another view they are six viz., the five elements and the Supreme Self, who has made all this viz., the body, the world and everything else and entered into them.
Where four is given as the number, the Atman and the three main elements viz., earth, water and fire which form the envelope of the Atman in different bodies are alone included. The universe is produced by these four. If it be eleven, the Atman, the five elements and the five senses form the categories.
Where seventeen is given as the number, the five elements, the five objects (Vishayas, sound, touch etc.) the five senses (ear, skin etc.) with the mind and Atman are included. When sixteen is the number given, the Atman itself is taken as the mind. The mind is included in the Atman. When thirteen is given, the five elements, the five organs, the mind and the twofold Atman as Jiva and Paramatman make up the thirteen principles.
When eleven is given as the number, the Atman, the five elements and the five organs are taken into account.
When nine is given as the number, the eight Prakritis viz., Prakriti, Mahat, egoism, and the five subtle elements and the Purusha make up the nine principles.
Thus the different ways of reckoning the principles have been adopted by the sages or Rishis. Every view is correct. There is some reason for it. Can there be anything wrong in what the wise say?”
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