There is a theory in Sankhya Darshana also supported by Ayurveda – The Chaturvimshati Purusha Tatwa – the 24 theory. This is also called the Chikitsa Purusha – meaning the theory on which treatment of a body is based upon.
Now what is this theory?? I will talk about the theory and my interpretation on it. It starts with Avyakta or the unmanifested. That which is not seen/understood. May be we can correlate it with the quantum theory – most smallest particles, poorly understood, maybe even up to the level of atoms and subatomic structures, which is curiously the wave as well as the particle. This then joins together to form a bigger structure like the molecule. How does this happen? It is mainly due to the union of the supreme Prakruthi – the female form with the Purusha – the male form. We see that neither Prakruthi nor Purusha bereft of the other, is potent enough to create life. They are inert by themselves but come into a fruitful combination together to bring Mahaan out of Avyakta – Here is where I see the duality of the earlier mentioned subatomic structures being a wave as well as a particle. The ever moving celestial dance of both unique structures like the dance of the eternal couple Shiva and Shakthi – slowly coming together into the powerful and perfect union of the Ardhanareeshwara (Dwaitha as well as Adwaitha)- One bereft of the other is powerless.
So the Mahaan or the Macro Particle then is combined with Ahamkaara – The consciousness. This is part of the process of the Paramaatma giving birth to the smaller Jeevaatma to combine with the Mahaan. This Ahamkaara produces subtle individuality to form the 3 gunas (qualities) of the body – Satwa, Rajas and Tamas.
Satwa is neutral and is also a synonym to the mind as it forms the base of what we call as the mind.
Rajas is the activator and the unrestful quality which stirs up curiosity activity and response to stimuli
Tamas is the factor which gives stability but also the darker part of the Manas as it is the inert and immovable quality often associated with destruction, depression and all other negative qualities of the mind.
Now Satwa and Rajas combine togather to form the Ekadasha Indriyas/11 Indriyas:
5 Gyanendriyas – Chakshu(Eyes), Rasana(tongue), Ghrana(Nose), Shrothra(Ears) and
Sparsha(Skin/touch).
5 Karmendriyas – Vak(Speech), Paani(Hands), Paada(Feet), Paayu (Excretory Organs), Upastha (Reproductive organs)
We understand that the indriyas are organs of the body which perform vital functions.
I had mentioned 11 indriyas. The 11th Indriya is also called the Ubhayendriya which is Manas. This is because it acts as the communication pathway between the Indriyas, The Buddhi (intellect) and the Chitta (the base Consciousness).
The manas acts in a special way. Let me explain:
You see a Pen, This is done by your eyes – Chakshu – Indriya
The light reflected from the pen, falls on your retina, undergoing refraction in the chakshu. The Information of light is absorbed and converted to chemical channels by the rods and cones in your retina. Now The eyes are the Indriyas, The light from the object(pen) is the Indriya Artha (Meaning/understanding), This gets properly transferred through your optic nerve, passing the optic chiasma and reaching the vision centre. Now if the Chitta remembers a previous image of the pen along with the memory of the buddhi that, the earlier pen was used to write and now this new image of a pen suggests that there is an object which can write, then there is Sannikarsha (proper) joining up of Indriya and Indriyaartha along with buddhi and chitta and therefore the person picks up the pen to write. This is facilitated by Manas. Now if the manas is afflicted by Excessive Rajas or Tamas like in disorders like Schizophrenia, There will be visual Hallucinations some times in such cases. This in turn might not give the proper message to the buddhi so the person might not use the pen to write. This is why Manas is the Ubhaya Indriya.
Now, Rajas and Tamas come together to form the:
5 tanmatras : Shabda(Sound), Sparsha (Touch), Roopa (Sight), Rasa (Taste), and Gandha (Smell)
These are percieved by the Indriyas due to the activity of the ubhaya indriya/manas
how is the perception facilitated? you may ask. This is because each object is made up of the
5 Mahabhutas : Pruthvi (Earth), Ap (Water), Teja (Fire), Vayu (Air), Aakasha (Space/Ether)
Now for example, Teja Mahabhuta present around us facilitates the light to fall on the aforementioned pen , The same teja mahabhuta activates the Roopa tanmatra to bring in the Indriya Artha to the Indriya (eyes). Then with the help of Manas we understand and do our work.
the list of 24 forms the body as well as the universe around us. It is that which brings forth the tangible principles of life from the intangible.
1.Prakruthi
2.Purusha
3.Avyakta
4.Mahaan
5.Ahamkaara
6.Satwa
7..Rajas
8.Tamas
9-19. the Indriyas – 11 in number
20-24. 5 Tanmatras forming the 5 Mahabhuthas.
This is the base of the Living body as well as our universe. This does bring evidence to the argument of us being a very minute part of the universe which is also made up of the 24 tatwa.
Thereby we go back to the concept of “Aham Brahma Asmi” (Iam the Manifest) “Tat Twam Asi” (That which you are). It does lead us to us being the tiny Jeevaatmas which is nothing but a part of the Large Scale Paramaathma.
The above article is just an opinion.
Please read it as it is.