Western European stream·The Secret Doctrine·Volume II — Anthropogenesis·STANZAS FROM THE BOOK OF DZYAN . . . 15

Source context

Theme

Stanza 15 of the Book of Dzyan: cosmogonic verse on the differentiation of primordial substance and the emergence of form

Steiner

not engaged in the GA corpus

Cross-tradition

• Vedantic / Samkhya cosmogonyCross-tradition congruence exists between the Dzyan stanzas' account of primordial differentiation and the Samkhya schema of Prakriti unfolding through successive tattvas into manifest form.
• Neoplatonic emanationismCross-tradition congruence exists with the Plotinian sequence from the One through Nous to Soul, wherein each level of cosmic hierarchy precipitates a denser ontological stratum.

STANZAS FROM THE BOOK OF DZYAN . . . 15

The Secret Doctrine by H. P. Blavatsky, Vol 2, Stanzas of Dzyan

The Secret Doctrine by H. P. Blavatsky -- Vol.

2

# [[Vol. 2, Page 13]]

BOOK II. -- PART I.

ANTHROPOGENESIS.

---

STANZAS TRANSLATED WITH COMMENTARIES

FROM THE SECRET BOOK OF DZYAN.

[[Vol. 2, Page 14]]

In primeval times, a maiden,

Beauteous Daughter of the Ether,

Passed for ages her existence

In the great expanse of Heaven,

. . . . . . . . . . .

Seven hundred years she wandered,

Seven hundred years she laboured,

Ere her first-born was delivered.

. . . . . . . . . . .

Ere a beauteous duck descending,

Hastens toward the water-mother.

. . . . . . . . . . .

Lightly on the knee she settles,

Finds a nesting-place befitting,

Where to lay her eggs in safety,

Lays her eggs within, at pleasure,

Six, the golden eggs she lays them,

Then a Seventh, an egg of iron . . . . ."

(Kalevala, Rune I.)

# [[Vol. 2, Page]] 15 STANZAS FROM THE BOOK OF DZYAN.

ANTHROPOGENESIS IN THE SECRET VOLUME.

(VERBATIM EXTRACTS.*)

I.

1**T**HE **L**HA WHICH TURNS THE FOURTH
IS SUBSERVIENT TO THE **L**HA OF THE **S**EVEN, THEY WHO REVOLVE DRIVING THEIR CHARIOTS AROUND THEIR **L**ORD, THE **O**NE **E**YE. **H**IS BREATH GAVE LIFE TO THE **S**EVEN; IT GAVE LIFE TO THE FIRST.

2**S**AID THE **E**ARTH: -- "**L**ORD
OF THE **S**HINING **F**ACE; MY HOUSE IS EMPTY . . . . SEND THY SONS TO PEOPLE THIS WHEEL. **T**HOU HAST SENT THY SEVEN SONS TO THE **L**ORD OF **W**ISDOM. **S**EVEN TIMES DOTH HE SEE THEE NEARER TO HIMSELF, SEVEN TIMES MORE DOTH HE FEEL THEE. **T**HOU HAST FORBIDDEN THY SERVANTS, THE SMALL RINGS, TO CATCH THY LIGHT AND HEAT, THY GREAT BOUNTY TO INTERCEPT ON ITS PASSAGE. **S**END NOW TO THY SERVANT THE SAME."

3**S**AID THE "**L**ORD OF THE
**S**HINING **F**ACE": -- "**I** SHALL SEND THEE A FIRE WHEN THY WORK IS COMMENCED. **R**AISE THY VOICE TO OTHER **L**OKAS; APPLY TO THY FATHER, THE **L**ORD OF THE **L**OTUS, FOR HIS SONS . . . . THY PEOPLE SHALL BE UNDER THE RULE OF THE **F**ATHERS. **T**HY MEN SHALL BE MORTALS. **T**HE MEN OF THE **L**ORD OF **W**ISDOM, NOT THE **L**UNAR **S**ONS, ARE IMMORTAL. **C**EASE THY COMPLAINTS. **T**HY SEVEN SKINS ARE YET ON THEE . . . . THOU ART NOT READY. **T**HY MEN ARE NOT READY."

4**A**FTER GREAT THROES SHE CAST OFF HER OLD THREE
AND PUT ON HER NEW SEVEN SKINS, AND STOOD IN HER FIRST ONE. -------

II.

5**T**HE WHEEL WHIRLED FOR THIRTY CRORES MORE.
**I**T CONSTRUCTED RUPAS: SOFT STONES THAT HARDENED; HARD PLANTS THAT SOFTENED. **V**ISIBLE FROM INVISIBLE, INSECTS AND SMALL LIVES. **S**HE SHOOK THEM OFF HER BACK WHENEVER THEY OVERRAN THE MOTHER.

# [[Footnote(s) -------------------------------------------------]]

• Only forty-nine Slokas out of several hundred are here given. Not every verse is translated verbatim. A periphrasis is sometimes used for the sake of clearness and intelligibility, where a literal translation would be quite unintelligible.

# [[Vol. 2, Page]] 16 THE SECRET DOCTRINE.

. . . . AFTER THIRTY CRORES SHE TURNED ROUND. SHE LAY ON HER BACK; ON HER SIDE . . . SHE WOULD CALL NO SONS OF HEAVEN, SHE WOULD ASK NO SONS OF WISDOM. SHE CREATED FROM HER OWN BOSOM. SHE EVOLVED WATER-MEN, TERRIBLE AND BAD.

6**T**HE WATER-MEN TERRIBLE AND BAD SHE HERSELF
CREATED FROM THE REMAINS OF OTHERS, FROM THE DROSS AND SLIME OF HER FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD, SHE FORMED THEM. **T**HE **D**HYANI CAME AND LOOKED -- **T**HE **D**HYANI FROM THE BRIGHT **F**ATHER-MOTHER, FROM THE WHITE REGIONS THEY CAME, FROM THE ABODES OF THE IMMORTAL MORTALS.

7**D**ISPLEASED THEY WERE. **O**UR
FLESH IS NOT THERE. **N**O FIT RUPAS FOR OUR BROTHERS OF THE FIFTH. **N**O DWELLINGS FOR THE LIVES. **P**URE WATERS, NOT TURBID, THEY MUST DRINK. **L**ET US DRY THEM.

8**T**HE FLAMES CAME. **T**HE FIRES
WITH THE SPARKS; THE NIGHT FIRES AND THE DAY FIRES. **T**HEY DRIED OUT THE TURBID DARK WATERS. **W**ITH THEIR HEAT THEY QUENCHED THEM. **T**HE **L**HAS OF THE **H**IGH, THE **L**HAMAYIN OF BELOW, CAME. **T**HEY SLEW THE FORMS WHICH WERE TWO- AND FOUR-FACED. **T**HEY FOUGHT THE GOAT-MEN, AND THE DOG-HEADED MEN, AND THE MEN WITH FISHES' BODIES.

9**M**OTHER-WATER, THE GREAT SEA, WEPT. **S**HE
AROSE, SHE DISAPPEARED IN THE MOON WHICH HAD LIFTED HER, WHICH HAD GIVEN HER BIRTH.

10**W**HEN THEY WERE DESTROYED, **M**OTHER-EARTH
REMAINED BARE. **S**HE ASKED TO BE DRIED. -------

III.

11**T**HE **L**ORD OF THE **L**ORDS
CAME. **F**ROM HER BODY HE SEPARATED THE WATERS, AND THAT WAS **H**EAVEN ABOVE, THE FIRST **H**EAVEN.

12**T**HE GREAT **C**HOHANS CALLED
THE **L**ORDS OF THE **M**OON, OF THE AIRY BODIES. "**B**RING FORTH MEN, MEN OF YOUR NATURE. **G**IVE THEM THEIR FORMS WITHIN. **S**HE WILL BUILD COVERINGS WITHOUT. **M**ALES-FEMALES WILL THEY BE. **L**ORDS OF THE **F**LAME ALSO . . . . "

13**T**HEY WENT EACH ON HIS ALLOTTED LAND: SEVEN
OF THEM EACH ON HIS LOT. **T**HE **L**ORDS OF THE **F**LAME REMAIN BEHIND. **T**HEY WOULD NOT GO, THEY WOULD NOT CREATE.

# [[Vol. 2, Page]] 17 THE SLOKAS OF "DZYAN."

IV.

14**T**HE **S**EVEN **H**OSTS,
THE "**W**ILL-BORN **L**ORDS," PROPELLED BY THE **S**PIRIT OF **L**IFE-GIVING, SEPARATE MEN FROM THEMSELVES, EACH ON HIS OWN ZONE.

15**S**EVEN TIMES SEVEN **S**HADOWS
OF FUTURE MEN WERE BORN, EACH OF HIS OWN COLOUR AND KIND. **E**ACH INFERIOR TO HIS FATHER. **T**HE FATHERS, THE BONELESS, COULD GIVE NO LIFE TO BEINGS WITH BONES. **T**HEIR PROGENY WERE **B**HUTA, WITH NEITHER FORM NOR MIND. **T**HEREFORE THEY ARE CALLED THE **C**HHAYA.

16**H**OW ARE THE **M**ANUSHYA BORN?
**T**HE **M**ANUS WITH MINDS, HOW ARE THEY MADE? **T**HE FATHERS CALLED TO THEIR HELP THEIR OWN FIRE; WHICH IS THE FIRE THAT BURNS IN **E**ARTH. **T**HE **S**PIRIT OF THE **E**ARTH CALLED TO HIS HELP THE **S**OLAR **F**IRE. **T**HESE THREE PRODUCED IN THEIR JOINT EFFORTS A GOOD **R**UPA. **I**T COULD STAND, WALK, RUN, RECLINE, OR FLY. **Y**ET IT WAS STILL BUT A **C**HHAYA, A SHADOW WITH NO SENSE . . . .

17**T**HE BREATH NEEDED A FORM; **T**HE
**F**ATHERS GAVE IT. **T**HE BREATH NEEDED A GROSS BODY; THE **E**ARTH MOULDED IT. **T**HE BREATH NEEDED THE **S**PIRIT OF **L**IFE; THE **S**OLAR **L**HAS BREATHED IT INTO ITS FORM. **T**HE BREATH NEEDED A **M**IRROR OF ITS **B**ODY; "**W**E GAVE IT OUR OWN," SAID THE **D**HYANIS. **T**HE **B**REATH NEEDED A **V**EHICLE OF **D**ESIRES; "**I**T HAS IT," SAID THE **D**RAINER OF **W**ATERS. **B**UT **B**REATH NEEDS A MIND TO EMBRACE THE **U**NIVERSE; "**W**E CANNOT GIVE THAT," SAID THE **F**ATHERS. "**I** NEVER HAD IT," SAID THE **S**PIRIT OF THE **E**ARTH. "**T**HE FORM WOULD BE CONSUMED WERE I TO GIVE IT MINE," SAID THE **G**REAT **F**IRE . . . . **M**AN REMAINED AN EMPTY SENSELESS **B**HUTA . . . . **T**HUS HAVE THE BONELESS GIVEN LIFE TO THOSE WHO BECAME MEN WITH BONES IN THE THIRD. -------

V.

18**T**HE FIRST WERE THE SONS OF **Y**OGA.
**T**HEIR SONS THE CHILDREN OF THE **Y**ELLOW **F**ATHER AND THE **W**HITE **M**OTHER.

19**T**HE **S**ECOND **R**ACE
WAS THE PRODUCT BY BUDDING AND

# [[Vol. 2, Page]] 18 THE SECRET DOCTRINE.

EXPANSION, THE A-SEXUAL FROM THE SEXLESS -- THUS WAS, O LANOO, THE SECOND R*ACE PRODUCED.

20**T**HEIR FATHERS WERE THE SELF-BORN. **T**HE
SELF-BORN, THE **C**HHAYA FROM THE BRILLIANT BODIES OF THE **L**ORDS, THE **F**ATHERS, THE **S**ONS OF **T**WILIGHT.

21**W**HEN THE **R**ACE BECAME OLD,
THE OLD WATERS MIXED WITH THE FRESHER WATERS. **W**HEN ITS DROPS BECAME TURBID, THEY VANISHED AND DISAPPEARED IN THE NEW STREAM, IN THE HOT STREAM OF LIFE. **T**HE OUTER OF THE FIRST BECAME THE INNER OF THE SECOND. **T**HE OLD **W**ING BECAME THE NEW **S**HADOW, AND THE **S**HADOW OF THE **W**ING. -------

VI.

22**T**HEN THE SECOND EVOLVED THE **E**GG-BORN,
THE THIRD. **T**HE SWEAT GREW, ITS DROPS GREW, AND THE DROPS BECAME HARD AND ROUND. **T**HE **S**UN WARMED IT; THE **M**OON COOLED AND SHAPED IT; THE WIND FED IT UNTIL ITS RIPENESS. **T**HE WHITE SWAN FROM THE STARRY VAULT OVERSHADOWED THE BIG DROP. **T**HE EGG OF THE FUTURE RACE, THE **M**AN-SWAN OF THE LATER THIRD. **F**IRST MALE-FEMALE, THEN MAN AND WOMAN.

23**T**HE SELF-BORN WERE THE **C**HHAYAS:
THE **S**HADOWS FROM THE BODIES OF THE **S**ONS OF **T**WILIGHT. -------

VII.

24**T**HE **S**ONS OF **W**ISDOM,
THE **S**ONS OF **N**IGHT, READY FOR REBIRTH, CAME DOWN, THEY SAW THE VILE FORMS OF THE **F**IRST **T**HIRD, "**W**E CAN CHOOSE," SAID THE **L**ORDS, "WE HAVE WISDOM." **S**OME ENTERED THE **C**HHAYA. **S**OME PROJECTED THE **S**PARK. **S**OME DEFERRED TILL THE **F**OURTH. **F**ROM THEIR OWN **R**UPA THEY FILLED THE **K**AMA. **T**HOSE WHO ENTERED BECAME **A**RHATS. **T**HOSE WHO RECEIVED BUT A SPARK, REMAINED DESTITUTE OF KNOWLEDGE; THE SPARK BURNED LOW. **T**HE THIRD REMAINED MIND-LESS. **T**HEIR **J**IVAS WERE NOT

# [[Footnote(s) -------------------------------------------------]]

• The idea and the spirit of the sentence is here given, as a verbal translation would convey very little to the reader.

# [[Vol. 2, Page]] 19 THE SLOKAS OF "DZYAN."

READY. THESE WERE SET APART AMONG THE SEVEN. THEY BECAME NARROW-HEADED. THE THIRD WERE READY. "IN THESE SHALL WE DWELL," SAID THE LORDS OF THE FLAME.

25**H**OW DID THE **M**ANASA, THE
**S**ONS OF **W**ISDOM, ACT? **T**HEY REJECTED THE **S**ELF-BORN. **T**HEY ARE NOT READY. **T**HEY SPURNED THE **S**WEAT-BORN. **T**HEY ARE NOT QUITE READY. **T**HEY WOULD NOT ENTER THE FIRST **E**GG-BORN.

26**W**HEN THE **S**WEAT-BORN PRODUCED
THE **E**GG-BORN, THE TWOFOLD AND THE MIGHTY, THE POWERFUL WITH BONES, THE **L**ORDS OF **W**ISDOM SAID: "**N**OW SHALL WE CREATE."

27**T**HE **T**HIRD **R**ACE
BECAME THE **V**AHAN OF THE **L**ORDS OF **W**ISDOM. **I**T CREATED "**S**ONS OF **W**ILL AND **Y**OGA," BY **K**RIYASAKTI IT CREATED THEM, THE **H**OLY **F**ATHERS, **A**NCESTORS OF THE **A**RHATS. . -------

VIII.

28**F**ROM THE DROPS OF SWEAT; FROM THE RESIDUE
OF THE SUBSTANCE; MATTER FROM DEAD BODIES OF MEN AND ANIMALS OF THE WHEEL BEFORE; AND FROM CAST-OFF DUST, THE FIRST ANIMALS WERE PRODUCED.

29**A**NIMALS WITH BONES, DRAGONS OF THE DEEP,
AND FLYING **S**ARPAS WERE ADDED TO THE CREEPING THINGS. **T**HEY THAT CREEP ON THE GROUND GOT WINGS. **T**HEY OF THE LONG NECKS IN THE WATER BECAME THE PROGENITORS OF THE FOWLS OF THE AIR.

30**D**URING THE THIRD **R**ACE THE
BONELESS ANIMALS GREW AND CHANGED: THEY BECAME ANIMALS WITH BONES, THEIR **C**HHAYAS BECAME SOLID.

31**T**HE ANIMALS SEPARATED THE FIRST. **T**HEY
BEGAN TO BREED. **T**HE TWO-FOLD MAN SEPARATED ALSO. **H**E SAID: "**L**ET US AS THEY; LET US UNITE AND MAKE CREATURES." **T**HEY DID.

32**A**ND THOSE WHICH HAD NO SPARK TOOK HUGE SHE-ANIMALS
UNTO THEM. **T**HEY BEGAT UPON THEM DUMB **R**ACES. **D**UMB THEY WERE THEMSELVES. **B**UT THEIR TONGUES UNTIED. **T**HE TONGUES OF THEIR PROGENY REMAINED STILL. **M**ONSTERS THEY BRED. **A** RACE OF CROOKED RED-HAIR-COVERED MONSTERS GOING ON ALL FOURS. **A** DUMB RACE TO KEEP THE SHAME UNTOLD.

# [[Vol. 2, Page]] 20 THE SECRET DOCTRINE.

IX.

33**S**EEING WHICH, THE **L**HAS WHO
HAD NOT BUILT MEN, WEPT, SAYING: --

34"**T**HE **A**MANASA HAVE DEFILED
OUR FUTURE ABODES. **T**HIS IS **K**ARMA. **L**ET US DWELL IN THE OTHERS. **L**ET US TEACH THEM BETTER, LEST WORSE SHOULD HAPPEN. **T**HEY DID . . . .

35**T**HEN ALL MEN BECAME ENDOWED WITH **M**ANAS.
**T**HEY SAW THE SIN OF THE MINDLESS.

36**T**HE **F**OURTH **R**ACE
DEVELOPED SPEECH.

37**T**HE **O**NE BECAME **T**WO;
ALSO ALL THE LIVING AND CREEPING THINGS THAT WERE STILL ONE, GIANT FISH-BIRDS AND SERPENTS WITH SHELL-HEADS. -------

X.

38**T**HUS TWO BY TWO ON THE SEVEN ZONES, THE **T**HIRD
**R**ACE GAVE BIRTH TO THE **F**OURTH-**R**ACE MEN; THE GODS BECAME NO-GODS; THE SURA BECAME A-SURA.

39**T**HE FIRST, ON EVERY ZONE, WAS MOON-COLOURED;
THE SECOND YELLOW LIKE GOLD; THE THIRD RED; THE FOURTH BROWN, WHICH BECAME BLACK WITH SIN. **T**HE FIRST SEVEN HUMAN SHOOTS WERE ALL OF ONE COMPLEXION. **T**HE NEXT SEVEN BEGAN MIXING.

40**T**HEN THE **F**OURTH BECAME TALL
WITH PRIDE. **W**E ARE THE KINGS, IT WAS SAID; WE ARE THE GODS.

41**T**HEY TOOK WIVES FAIR TO LOOK UPON. **W**IVES
FROM THE MINDLESS, THE NARROW-HEADED. **T**HEY BRED MONSTERS. **W**ICKED DEMONS, MALE AND FEMALE, ALSO **K**HADO (DAKINI), WITH LITTLE MINDS.

42THEY BUILT TEMPLES FOR THE HUMAN BODY. **M**ALE
AND FEMALE THEY WORSHIPPED. **T**HEN THE **T**HIRD **E**YE ACTED NO LONGER. -------

XI.

43**T**HEY BUILT HUGE CITIES. **O**F
RARE EARTHS AND METALS THEY BUILT, AND OUT OF THE FIRES VOMITED, OUT OF THE WHITE STONE OF

# [[Vol. 2, Page]] 21 THE SLOKAS OF "DZYAN."

THE MOUNTAINS AND OF THE BLACK STONE, THEY CUT THEIR OWN IMAGES IN THEIR SIZE AND LIKENESS, AND WORSHIPPED THEM.

44**T**HEY BUILT GREAT IMAGES NINE YATIS HIGH,
THE SIZE OF THEIR BODIES. **I**NNER FIRES HAD DESTROYED THE LAND OF THEIR FATHERS. **T**HE WATER THREATENED THE FOURTH.

45**T**HE FIRST GREAT WATERS CAME. **T**HEY
SWALLOWED THE SEVEN GREAT ISLANDS.

46**A**LL **H**OLY SAVED, THE **U**NHOLY
DESTROYED. **W**ITH THEM MOST OF THE HUGE ANIMALS, PRODUCED FROM THE SWEAT OF THE EARTH. -------

XII.

47**F**EW MEN REMAINED: SOME YELLOW, SOME BROWN
AND BLACK, AND SOME RED REMAINED. **T**HE MOON-COLOURED WERE GONE FOREVER.

48**T**HE FIFTH PRODUCED FROM THE **H**OLY
STOCK REMAINED; IT WAS RULED OVER BY THE FIRST DIVINE **K**INGS.

49. . . . **W**HO RE-DESCENDED, WHO MADE PEACE
WITH THE FIFTH, WHO TAUGHT AND INSTRUCTED IT. . . . . . Next Section Contents

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