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Chapter Two

The Emerald Table and the Paratrimshika

One of the oldest (first century AD) and most revered writings on the arcane science of Alchemy is The Emerald Table written by the legendary father of Alchemy, Hermes Trismegistus (Messenger of the Three powers). The Emerald Table survived through the ages because as brief as it is, it has a strong impact on most readers as somehow touching upon some very important truth. For the majority of people, Alchemy has been perceived as a route to fabulous material wealth through the conversion of lead to gold and this no doubt kept the writings from being burned. A much smaller number of people, however, perceive it as a possible guide to the perfection of the Self and it is for these few people that many of the ancient documents and this book were written.

Several beginning exemplary comparisons can be made between the "conversion" processes spoken of by the Alchemists and by the early Christians (not related to today's usage of the word "conversion"). The Alchemists described their reaction vessel in which the conversion took place as the "Athanor" similar in shape and size to the human body. The athanor can also be compared with the water vessels of similar size described in the Wedding at Cana in the Bible. Alchemy used the infusion of "immortal fire" or ignis innaturalis into the athanor, while Christianity describes the conversion process by the infusion of "Spirit" into the water vessels for the conversion of water into wine. (Indian models used a similar model with soma as will be discussed later.) The Alchemists describe the end result of the conversion process as pure refined gold whereas the Christians describe it as vintage wine. The use of wine (or leavened bread) was an allegorical term characteristic of the early Western philosophers. This usage was based upon their belief that the conversion of grapes (or flour) into a higher form could be compared to the change in individuals as they opened to a Divine Spirit.

One characteristic of early religious writings is that they contain two or more levels of understanding. The upper level or most widely understood level was generally politically correct for its time or was acceptable to the majority of people. The lower or hidden levels were only understood by a small percentage of readers who would be those few who had "ears to hear" as described by Jesus. If you have the "ears to hear" you can perceive the two levels of writing in the story of the Wedding at Cana. The average person desires magical powers and only reads the story as depicting super powers that would impress their friends. If, however, the readers are seeking union with a higher power or the joy of life, then they see the transformation of water in the water vessels as an allegory for the infusion of some transfomational "Spirit" within their own bodies or the injection of a higher state of consciousness into themselves. This hidden level of teaching refers to the greatest of miracles which far exceeds the magic of making wine.

In unraveling the "secrets" of the ancient writings, it must be understood that these were not secrets but rather "truths" to those individuals who had already mastered their social world and had some experiences with their inner vital forces and processes. These ancient writings were, however, veiled and misdirecting to those who were seeking power, gold, wine and sex. To those individuals, the writings became sacred and were worshiped as a potential source for satisfying their lusts. If this element had not been written into the documents they might not have survived, particularly if they were to be preserved by greedy or power hungry institutional leaders.

Before proceeding on, it is helpful to also mention again that many of the original mystical writings were very technical in nature. This means that the ancients were careful to define their terms that were inserted into the text. You cannot take a line or verse out of context in these writings since all of the thoughts must build upon and be consistent with the others. (All of the points being raised will be discussed in detail later, but it would be timely for the reader who likes to jump about in a book to be patient and recognize the importance of the "step-by-step" or krama process described by the early writers. This will become evident with later detailed discussions of some of the writings.)

The terms and their meanings, which are obtained by the careful step-by-step analysis of the documents, will be described in detail in later chapters, but to simplify the initial reading, a few of the resulting critical definitions are listed below. (A more complete Sanskrit Dictionary is given at the end of the book in the Appendix.)

Sun and Moon: the universal symbols for the Masculine and Feminine such as the Yang and Yin of the Chinese or the un-manifest and manifest natures or forces. Personified in many religions as an indwelling God and Goddess (in the inner Heaven described below).
Hridayam: "Heart" as the center of action or of life and not the beating heart in the chest. The hridayam is located within the sexual region or in the yoni.
Mantra: the intentional mental creation or conative process.
Mudra: the manifesting of that mental creation or mantra.
Tantra: is the advanced Yoga system dealing with the inner energies of the body.
Shiva: an indwelling God and the source of the masculine powers.
Soma: (ambrosia of Greek Gods) is the mystical fluid of the Rig Veda with its source in the yoni. It is related to the Moon and the feminine inner power of Shakti.
Yoni: is like a female sexual center, but found in both men and women, and the source of soma.
Heaven: is the highest state of existence or anuttara. It is the same as the Bible's term of "the kingdom of Heaven "within" you and not a future place after death.

The Emerald Table
From Hermes Trismegistus, 1st Century

It is true, that as it is above, so it is below.
All things are from the One, by the One becoming Two.
The Sun is the Father, the Mother is the Moon.
The breath has carried it to the belly and the body nurtures.
The gateway to perfection is now opened through this potential lying in the depths of the physical.
Only with the greatest care, is the physical separated from the subtle or the subtle from the physical.
It rises from the depths to the heights;
descends, while the higher and lower magnify the power.
The promise is as follows:
The world in all its glory is seen with clarity and wisdom.
More powerful than strength and force, solid and subtle are conquered, and thus all is created, that which is, and the perfection of tomorrow.

This Page will continue with the full recently translated document, however the Golden Triangle book presents a comparison between two documents.

The Paratrimshika
Unknown, before 500 B.C.E.

1) Devi asks Deva; how can Tantrik powers quickly open the kingdom of Heaven with the knowledge of matrena that opens the path to heaven? Tell me of this hidden aspect of myself which shines forth largely unhidden.
2) Tell me Deva about that Tantrik power that resides in the hridaya as the ruling feminine power of the body, (and tell me) in what way can I find fulfillment?
3) The illustrious feminine power is the source of great Divine gifts in the kingdom of Heaven.
4) By maintaining Tantrik practices, the desired world is made real, thrust forth from the Heaven within your heart (hridaya). I am revealing to you the powers of the kingdom of Heaven.
5) Now! We Begin with: all of the reality of heaven can be found to be built on, and becomes manifest with the subtle union of the Moon and Sun.
6) The physical or manifest is in union with the creative force in the evolving world. Evolution proceeds step by step from one realm to another, as the letter "Ka" to the letter "Ma".
7) There are four supporting elements of reality: air, fire, flowing water, and manifested earth. From these there arises a shining forth proceeding the developing of the expansive world.
8) Without beginning, they are the steps of bringing forth all that is known, experienced and created. Everything is truly mantra, knowledge, and glorious.
9) This yoni is filled with the 'shining forth' of the four illustrious elements in balance with the expansive world.
10) The third nature of Brahma or the hridayam between the thighs unites the Soul with the Divine. Those who do not have the existence as a yogini or the state of androgyny, as did the god Rudra, cannot break forth.
11) This hridayam is the dwelling place of the God of Gods and is the source of union with liberation at the same time. Ascending (beyond) is accomplished with the uniting of the great mantra and mudra.
12) At the moment of opening, the body moves expressing the union with a continuing expression and enjoyment of sensual and ecstatic up-flowing feelings associated with a mudra.
13) At that time, one attains the empirical form of the mantra-mudra, which was created in the future and became manifest in the present.
14) The thoughts can be thrust forward into time by the androgynous power of Rudra to make a clearly manifest and real spiritual shining form.
15) The thrusting forth of these three: energy of mantra and mudra with pure consciousness brings forth complete true knowledge and the higher powers of the yogi (masculine).
16) The inner great masculine power directs and sets in motion the coming together of the creative powers.
17) The inner perceptive powerful drive results in the obtaining of mantra and the power over the faultless manifest.
18) The junction of the two Tantrik powers brings forth all of the powers in the form of a flowing unseen creative fluid (soma).
19) The unseen fertile fluid moves, and thus, with this motion, reality is known, portion of his powers come into their own existence, he is a yogini (feminine), he is also initiated.
20) Being blameless and with the knowledge of matrena, knows all of the powers (shaktis). Even without the training of yoga, becomes one with the assembly of shakinis.
21) However, without knowing the rules, he brings forth worship.
22) The manifested world is first begun with matrena, then shaped with maya. The masculine force pervades the boundless created world with its three mentally created powers of spiritual creation, destruction and maintenance.
23) The inner continual process of life becomes a pure path for the one who perseveres in the rules. It quickly opens to the knowledge of the inner sovereign powers.
24) Because of the radiant fluid (soma) one is a great Soul, knowing the masculine powers of Shiva and all things, One is without sin, one's will and exertions become pure and shining.
25) As the great banyan tree is contained within the energy of its seed, so also is the evolutionary upper 'kingdom of Heaven' contained as a seed in the hridaya.
26) Truly, bound with the knowledge of the true state, the reaching for oblivion (nirvana) fades away, dedication comes into existence; doubts, anointings and impressive religious ceremonies are abandoned.
27) Having made the object of worship manifest and united with that seed, the goal is reached.
28) The inner seed bursts forward as the Moon becomes full, coming forth from the inner lotus of the heart meditation with soma exerting one's own security.
29) Whatever is desired and made a dedication to, becomes reality. The power of knowing all is not reached for but rather abides within.
30) This manifested mantra bursts forth from the combined masculine and feminine powers to attain all knowledge and powers.

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