The Influence of the Tattvas 89 



are close, the presence of one in excess indicates a 

 preponderance of the other, or is apt to be ac- 

 companied by it. In speaking of the manifesta- 

 tions of Fdyu or its centers of dominant influence, 

 the reader is cautioned against confounding the 

 Fdyu Tattva with another Sanskrit use of the word 

 which has entirely misled some students. The 

 word is derived from the root va, to move, and 

 signifies a motive-power. Certain organic func- 

 tions of the body, which are considered as so 

 many manifestations of Prdna, are generically 

 called Fdyus, though having specific names. In 

 this sense, Fdyus are nothing more than forces of 

 Prdna; or it would be clearer to say they are evi- 

 dences of Prdnlc power. In only one of these so- 

 called " Fdyus " the function of breathing 

 is the Fdyu Tattva prevalent. To avoid confu- 

 sion, I shall restrict the use of the word to its 

 Tattvlc sense. It is much clearer to know these 

 manifestations of Prdna by their specific names, 

 when we come to them. 



You have learned that the sense of touch is 

 stimulated by the Fdyu Tattva, and that a specific 

 field of its gross activities is to furnish the thin, 

 elastic sheath-garment that protects the sensitive 

 flesh, the skin of the body. The two phases, 

 positive and negative, of Fdyu, form the positive 

 and the negative skin, each of which has five lay- 

 ers in which the other Tattvas mingle, one after 



