Ancient and Modern Physics | Page 4

the
physical teaching the metaphysical is not translatable.
Our Western physics teaches that physical matter is divided into two kinds prakriti
(commonly called "physical matter") and ether; that the differences of each of the
elementary prakritic substances (iron, copper, sulphur, oxygen) are in their molecules, the
fundamental atom being the same; that each of these elementary substances vibrates only
through one octave, though on different keys; that it changes from solid to liquid and gas
as the rate of vibration is increased and from gas to liquid and solid as its vibration is
decreased within its octave; that the ether obeys identical laws; that it has elementary
substances vibrating through one octave only, and that these are solids, liquids, or gases
on the etheric plane as prakriti is on this; that these etheric substances change and
combine in every way that prakriti does; and that while all our prakritic substances
vibrate within (say) fifty simply octaves, the lowest vibration of etheric matter begins
over one thousand octaves beyond our highest, making a gulf to leap. The Eastern
physics presents this with a wealth of detail that dazes the Western student, and then adds:
"But beyond the etheric plane (or octave) of vibration for matter there is a third plane (or
octave) of vibration called prana and beyond that a fourth called manasa. What is true of
one plane is true of the other three. One law governs the four. As above so below. There
is no real gulf; there is perfect continuity."
The Western scientist teaches as the foundation of modern physics that "each and every
atom of prakritic matter is the center of an etheric molecule of many atoms;" that "no two
prakritic atoms touch," although their etheric envelopes or atmospheres do touch; and that
"all physical phenomena are caused by the chording vibration of the prakritic atom and
its envelope of ether," each "sounding the same note hundreds of octaves apart." The
"solid earth" with its atmosphere represents the atom with its ether. As all the oxygen and

hydrogen do not combine to make the drop of water, some remaining in mechanical
union to give it an atmosphere, and about one-fourth of its bulk being gas, so the atom
formed of the ether does not use all the ether in its chemical union, retaining some in
mechanical union for its envelope or atmosphere.
The Hindu physics goes much farther along this road. It says that, when the pranic globes
were formed, each atom of prana had its manasic envelope--was the center of a manasic
molecule. When the etheric globes formed, each atom of ether was the center of a pranic
molecule, each atom of which was surrounded with manasa. When the prakriti was
formed from the ether, each and every atom of prakriti had the triple
etheric-pranic-manasic envelope. "Each and every prakritic atom is the center of an
etheric molecule," says our Western science; but that of the East adds this: "And each
atom of that etheric molecule is the center of a pranic molecule, and each atom of prana
in that pranic molecule is the center of a manasic molecule." The four great globes of
matter in the material universe are represented and reproduced in each and every atom of
prakriti, which is in touch with each one of the four globes and a part of it. The same is
true of any aggregation of prakriti--of the earth itself and of all things in it, including man.
As there are four atoms in each one, so there are four earths, four globes, consubstantial,
one for each of the four elements, and in touch with it. One is formed of prakritic
atoms--the globe we know; another, of the ether forming their envelopes; another, of the
prana envelopes of ether, and a fourth of the manasa around the pranic atom. They are not
"skins"; they are consubstantial. And what is true of atoms or globes is true of animals.
Each has four "material" bodies, with each body on the corresponding globe --whether of
the earth or of the Universe. This is the physical basis of the famous "chain of seven
globes" that is such a stumbling-block in Hindu metaphysics. The spirit passes through
four to get in and three to get out--seven in all. The Hindu understands without
explanation. He understands his physics.
The Hindu physics teaches, with ours, that "the ether is the source of all energy," but, it
adds, "as prana is the source of all life, and manasa of all mind."
"When the prakritic atom is vibrating in chord with its etheric envelope," say our
textbooks, "we have physical phenomena --light, heat, electricity." "Yes," says the Hindu
teacher; "but when the atom and its ether and its prana are vibrating in chord, we have
life and vital