What is "tattva"

n. (context Indian philosophy English) An element or aspect of reality conceived as an aspect of deity, forming the basis of human experience.

Tatvas are the 96 qualities or properties of human body according to Akilattirattu Ammanai, the religious book of Ayyavazhi. They are as follows:

In Kashmir Shaivism, the 36 tattvas are the 36 elements or principles of reality. They describe, in descending order, the Absolute and its internal aspects; the covering of the Absolute by Maya; all of creation, including living beings, and the workings of the mind; and physical reality. Tattvas divide into three groups: Shudda, or "pure" tattvas (internal aspects of the Absolute); Shuddhashuddha, or "pure-impure" tattvas (the soul and its limitations); and Ashuddha, or "impure" tattvas (material, sensorial, the organs of action, the mind and the ego). The pure tattvas are the domain of transcendental unity and non-differentiation; the pure-impure tattvas are the domain of knowledge; and the impure tattvas are the domain of objectivity and duality.

"Tattva" is a song by the British psychedelic rock band Kula Shaker, released as the band's debut single. It was first released in the United Kingdom on 1 January 1996 as "Tattva (Lucky 13 Mix)", then reissued on 24 June as a re-recording from their debut album K with a different sleeve and track listing. The re-recording reached #4 on the UK Singles Chart. and #10 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in the United States.

Jain philosophy explains that seven tattva (truths or fundamental principles) constitute reality. These are:—

1. jīva- the soul which is characterized by consciousness
2. ajīva- the non-soul
3. āsrava (influx)- inflow of auspicious and evil karmic matter into the soul.
4. bandha (bondage)- mutual intermingling of the soul and karmas.
5. samvara (stoppage)- obstruction of the inflow of karmic matter into the soul.
6. nirjara (gradual dissociation)- separation or falling off of part of karmic matter from the soul.
7. mokṣha (liberation)- complete annihilation of all karmic matter (bound with any particular soul).

The knowledge of these reals is said to be essential for the liberation of the soul.

Our human Body comprise 96 Constituent principles or Tatwas of Siddha Medicine. The siddha system of traditional medicine of ancient India was derived by Tamil Siddhas or the spiritual scientists of Tamil Nadu. Siddhas fundamental principles never differentiated man from the universe. According to them, “Nature is man and man is nature and therefore both are essentially one. Man is said to the microcosm and the Universe is Macrocosm, because what exists in the Universe exists in man.”