Sadhguru Explains Tanmatra Sadhana: Journey into the Subtle Mind and Five Elements

Sadhguru says, In the silence of the elements, the divine whispers through the senses. Control over the mind begins with mastery over the five tanmatras. The taste of freedom comes only when the senses are steeped in discipline.

Article | Shree Siddhashram | January 23, 2024

Sadhguru: Hidden deep within the spiritual layers of the human constitution lies the Manomayakosha, the sheath of the mind, which bridges the soul and the senses. This subtle kosha governs thoughts, emotions, imagination, and desires—the very blueprint of human experience. Yet, its duality can either bind one to suffering or liberate one into bliss.

Tanmatra Sadhana, the meditative practice on the five subtle elements—earth, water, fire, air, and byom or akash—opens a path to transform the restless mind into a tranquil ocean of awareness. With abhyasa (consistent tantric practice) and vairagya (disciplined detachment the balance in everything), the sadhak harmonizes the senses, aligns with higher consciousness, and awakens the inner light of realization.

This sacred path is not about renunciation but a balanced, refined engagement with life, where the body becomes a temple, the mind becomes a mantra, and the soul becomes a mirror of the Supreme.

The essence of Tanmatra Sadhana is embracing intimacy within oneself. The Sadhak can feel every particle of knowledge as the essence of Tanmatra Sadhana.

The Third Kosha (Envelope of the Soul): Manomayakosha (Third Aspect of Gayatri – The Mind)

The primary function of the imaginative mind is the desire for happiness. The mind, possessing immense driving force, holds the power to either bind or liberate:

Man alone is the cause of bondage or liberation.

• A calm, joyful, disciplined, explained, controlled, and balanced mind becomes a friend, nectar, and a giver of liberation.

• An uncontrolled, sensory-obsessed mind becomes an enemy, a poison, and a binding force.

Upasana leads to the digestion of ego, and Aradhana reveals the divine aroma.

To control the mind means to bring it under the governance of intellect, discernment, and wisdom. Shiva told Mahakali (Shodoshi) two methods when he explained Nigam Tantra for mastering the mind:

1. Abhyasa (Practice): Engaging in yogic practices that foster concentration and immersion, such as:

   • (a) Japa (Chanting)

   • (b) Dhyana (Meditation)

   • (c) Trataka (Concentrated Gazing)

   • (d) Tanmatra Sadhana (Meditation on Subtle Elements)

2. Vairagya (Detachment): Cultivating a disciplined and organized lifestyle, which includes: (Vairagya is not Tyag or left everything. It's a process to balance the mind.)

   • Sensory restraint

   • Thought restraint

   • Time management

   • Financial discipline

Manomayakosha is not just a mind—it is the bridge between form and formless.

Tanmatra and the Five Elements (Panchatattva)

Bhagavan (The Lord):

1. Bh – Bhumi (Earth)

2. Ga – Gagan (Sky)

3. Va – Vayu (Air)

4. A – Agni (Fire)

5. Na – Neer (Water)

The entire creation is made of these five elements, and variations in their proportions give rise to diverse qualities and objects.

A balanced mind is a lamp; an undisciplined mind is wildfire.

The subtle sensory experiences of these elements are called Tanmatras:

1. Earth (Gandha/Smell):

   • Center: Muladhara Chakra

   • Sense Organ: Nose

   • Action Organ: Anus

   • Practices: Asanas, Fasting, Elemental Purification, Tapas, Pranayama

2. Water (Rasa/Taste):

   • Center: Swadhisthana Chakra

   • Sense Organ: Tongue

   • Action Organ: Genitals

   • Practices: Khechari Mudra, Japa Yoga

3. Fire (Rupa/Sight):

   • Center: Manipura Chakra

   • Sense Organ: Eyes

   • Action Organ: Feet

   • Practices: Meditation, Trataka, Nididhyasana (Deep Contemplation), Bindusadhana

4. Air (Sparsha/Touch):

   • Center: Anahata Chakra

   • Sense Organ: Skin

   • Action Organ: Hands

   • Practices: Titiksha (Forbearance), Spiritual Kama (Sublime Desire Science)

5. Akash (Shabda/Sound):

   • Center: Vishuddha Chakra

   • Sense Organ: Ears

   • Action Organ: Speech

   • Practices: Nada Sadhana (Meditation on Sound)

Smell the earth, taste the waters, feel the fire, touch the wind, hear the space—become all, become one.

Purpose of Tanmatra Sadhana

The five tanmatras connect the body and the world. The interaction between the senses and tanmatras generates itching (attachment to sensory objects), which leads to the human mind's continuous thoughts and actions.

The greatest obstacle to controlling and concentrating the mind is this itching, which prevents the mind from reaching higher states of consciousness.

The essence of the mind is experiencing rasa (taste/essence). By redirecting it away from worldly attachments towards spiritual rasas through:

• Upasana (Approach)

• Sadhana (Digestion)

• Aradhana (Realization)

This transforms the experience into:

• Jnana (Theory)

• Karma (Practical Application)

• Bhakti (Devotion)

Through noble thoughts, ideal character, and graceful behavior, one attains:

"Self-realization (Atmabodha) + Elemental Realization (Tatvabodha) = Supreme Realization (Paramatma Bodha)."

This is the ultimate purpose of Tanmatra Sadhana. A yogi does not reject the senses—he observes them, he realises them, and he sanctifies them.