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hindu-cosmosWe're still mapping where this idea was first discussed. Key passages and related ideas below.

Tattva 35 — Water (Ap / Jala)

Water: the element of liquidity and cohesion, fourth of the five great elements.

Ap (also called jala) is the gross element of water — the fourth of the five great elements, the principle of liquidity, flow, and cohesion that holds things together and moistens them. Denser than fire, it carries the quality of taste. In the tattva descent it unfolds from the subtle element of taste, drawing manifestation nearer to full solidity.

Key passages(9)

Chāndogya Upaniṣad · Vedic Revelation (śruti)

Very high

Tarka-saṃgraha · Annaṃbhaṭṭa

High

Vaiśeṣika-sūtra · Kaṇāda

High

Tantrasāra · Abhinavagupta

High

Paramārthasāra · Abhinavagupta

High

Praśna Upaniṣad · Vedic Revelation (śruti)

High

Tantrasāra · Abhinavagupta

High

Bhagavad-gītā · Vyāsa (Yoga-bhāṣya commentator)

Moderate

Praśna Upaniṣad · Vedic Revelation (śruti)

Moderate