Plaksha

The term "Plaksha" originates from Sanskrit (प्लक्ष), referring to a type of fig tree, Ficus lacor, often associated with sacred groves and cosmic significance in ancient Indian thought. Its inclusion in the Purana cosmology suggests a symbolic representation of the world tree or cosmic divisions.

One of the seven Dwipas (continents or islands) in the Indian Pantheon and the Purdnas. Plane. From the Latin planus (level Hat) an extension of space or of something in it, whether physical or metaphysical, e.g., a "plane of consciousness". As used in Occultism, the term denotes the range or extent of .some state of consciousness, or of the perceptive power of a particular set of sen.ses, or the action of a particular force, or the state of matter corresponding to any of the above. Planetary Spirits. Primarily the rulers or governors of the planets. As uur earth has its hierarchy of terrestrial planetary spirits, from the highest to the lowest plane, so has every other heavenly body. In Occultism, however, the term "Planetary Spirit" is generally applied only to the seven lii{]:hest hierareliics eorrcsjiondinjr to the Cliristiaii archanfrels. These have all jtassed thr(m<;h a stapn* of evolution eorrespondinjr to the humanity of earth on other worlds, in long past eyeles. Our earth, lu'inj; as yet only in its fourth round, is far too younj? to have produeed hijrh planetary si)irits. The hifjhest planetary spirit ruling over any glohiis in reality the ''Personal God" of that planet and far more truly its "over-ruling providence" tlian the sdf-eontradiet()r\ hiliiiitc Personal Deity of modern Churehianity. Plastic Soul, l^sed in Oeeultism in reference to the liixja sharira or the astral body of the lower Quaternary. It is called "plastic" and also "Protean" Soul from its power of assuming any shape or form and moulding or modelling itself into or upon any image impressed in the astral light around it, or in the minds of tlie medium or of those present at seances for nuiteriali/.ation. The linga sharira must not be confused with the maifavi rupa or "thought body" — the image created by the thought and will of an adept or sorcerer; for while the "astral form" or linga sharira is a real entity, the "thought body" is a temporary illusion created by the mind. Plato. An In

Blavatsky's definition, while blending Hindu cosmology with her own occult terminology, points to a fundamental concept of ordered realms. Plaksha, as one of the seven Dvipas, is not simply an island in a mythical ocean but a marker within a conceptual map of the cosmos. Mircea Eliade, in his work on sacred geography, often highlights how ancient cultures perceived the world as layered, with distinct regions possessing unique spiritual qualities. These cosmic continents can be understood as analogous to the "planes of consciousness" Blavatsky mentions, representing different stages or modes of existence, each with its own governing principles and inhabitants.

The association with the fig tree, a symbol of immortality and cosmic regeneration in many traditions, further imbues Plaksha with a sense of enduring spiritual significance. It suggests a connection between the terrestrial and the celestial, the manifest and the unmanifest. For the modern seeker, contemplating Plaksha offers a way to re-envision the universe not as a chaotic expanse but as a divinely ordered structure, inviting an exploration of the manifold expressions of reality and our place within them. It encourages an understanding of spiritual geography, where different realms are not just spatially distinct but qualitatively different in their energetic and conscious resonance.

This concept resonates with the idea of multiple dimensions or realities, a notion explored by thinkers like Carl Jung in his understanding of the collective unconscious and its archetypal landscapes. The Dvipas, therefore, can be seen as symbolic representations of these distinct spiritual territories that humanity traverses or can access through inner development.

RELATED_TERMS: Dvipa, Jambudvipa, Puranas, Cosmology, Sacred Geography, Planes of Existence, Spiritual Realms