Abhasvaras

The Sanskrit term "Abhasvara" (आभास्वर) derives from "abha" (आभा), meaning "light" or "radiance," and "svara" (स्वर), meaning "sound" or "tone." It signifies "luminous" or "shining." The concept appears in Vedic and Puranic literature, denoting divine beings.

The Devas or "Gods" of JAght and Sound, the highest of the upper three celestial regions (planes) of the second Dhi/i'ina (q.v.) A class of gods si.rfij-four in number, representing a certain eyele and an occult number.

Blavatsky's description of the Abhasvaras as "Devas or 'Gods' of Light and Sound" points to a profound understanding of cosmic architecture that resonates with the insights of Mircea Eliade and Carl Jung regarding the symbolic language of the sacred. The notion of deities associated with light and sound echoes archetypal patterns of creation myths found across cultures, where divine utterance and illumination bring forth existence. In Hinduism, these beings inhabit the upper celestial regions, representing stages of spiritual attainment or planes of consciousness that are progressively more refined and radiant. Their number, thirty-three, is often considered an occult or sacred figure, appearing in various contexts within Vedic traditions, perhaps symbolizing a complete set of divine energies or principles.

The concept invites contemplation of our own sensory experience as a potential gateway to higher realities. If light and sound are fundamental constituents of the cosmos, then their divine manifestations, the Abhasvaras, suggest that the universe is not a silent, dark expanse, but a vibrant, resonant chorus. This perspective aligns with the mystical traditions that emphasize the auditory and visual aspects of divine revelation, from the Sufi concept of sama (spiritual listening) to Christian mystics' visions of divine light. The Abhasvaras, therefore, are not merely mythological figures but symbolic representations of consciousness attuned to the subtler frequencies of existence, a state of being that modern seekers might explore through practices of meditation that cultivate inner luminosity and a heightened awareness of subtle vibrations. They remind us that the divine is not distant but immanent, present in the very fabric of perception.

RELATED_TERMS: Devas, Brahman, Loka, Samsara, Maya, Mantra, Nada Brahma ---