The Seven- fold Constitution of Humanity 253 



phy worthy of the name. The Christian Triad of 

 body, soul, and spirit includes the whole septenary 

 chain ; but it has given currency to the common be- 

 lief that man is only a triadic creature; so we speak 

 of physical, mental, and spiritual selves. 



The analysis here given does not change the fa- 

 miliar classification, but goes further closer to 

 the heart and truth of things, distinguishing other 

 divisions; and showing how every Principle or 

 sheath influences and interpenetrates the others. 

 The septenary constitution of humanity is symbol- 

 ized by a triangle surmounting a cube or square. 

 In the cube, we have the ultimate of manifestation, 

 containing as it does the possibilities of all va- 

 riety, of every form, of all expression; all the ele- 

 ments in one, being the actual form of Prithivi, 

 the earth vibration. 



The cube represents the four different sheaths 

 which make up the " natural body " of earth life. 

 The two outer are the Sthula-Sharira, or gross 

 body; and the Sukshma-Sharira, or subtle body 

 the Etheric-double, which is the prototype 

 and shadow of the Sthula, being the form round 

 which the physical body is built; and in some of 

 its appearances it is called the astral body. The 

 Sukshma-Sharira is the vehicle of Prdna, which is 

 transmuted through the astral spleen, and thus the 

 life-current unites the two bodies. The nceuds- 

 vital in the throat and " the pit of the stomach," 



