Tattvas is a Sanskrit word which means "principle", "truth" or "reality". The word "Tattva" involves two words that are "Tat" (meaning "that") and "Tvam" (meaning "thou") forming the meaning of "that ness"( the real being of anything). Besides this "Tat" connotes God head while "Tvam" denotes the individual. The meaning of Tattvam is directly engaged with the conception of Macrocosm ("Tat" meaning Godhead) and Microcosm ("Tvam" meaning individual). Various Indian School of philosophy say that a tattva is an element or aspect of reality conceived as an aspect of deity. Depending on the philosophical school, the number of tattvas varies. According to the Samkhya School of philosophy, there are twenty five tattvas and the Shaivism depicts thirty six tattvas. According to Samkhya philosophy, Purusha and Prakriti are the two eternal realities which exist in cosmos. This philosophy describes Purusha as the centre of consciousness and Prakriti is the root of all material existence.

Tattvas, according to Shaivite philosophy, are thirty six in number and are categorized in three groups. They are Sudhha tattvas, Sudhha Asudhha tattvas, and Asudhha tattvas. Sudhha tattvas(pure tattvas) are the first five tattvas of universal experience. Sudhha Asudhha tattvas(pure imoure tattvas), the next seven tattvas, are the tattvas of limited individual experience. Asudhha tattvas are the last twenty four tattvas among which the first is Prakriti, includes the tattvas of sensible experience, materiality and mental operation.

Tattvas are divided in three categories according to Western Philosophy. The first is Sudhha tattva or Pure (internal aspects of the Absolute), Sudhha Asudhha or Pure-Impure(the soul and its limitation) and Impure (material,sensorial, the organs of action, the mind and the ego) . The Sudhha tattvas or Pure tattvas are the domain of transcendental unity and non difference, the Asudhha tattvas or Pure-Impure tattvas are the arena of knowledge and the Asudhha tattvas or Impure tattvas are the realm of objectivity and duality. The five basic tattvas ( prithvi, jal , teja, vayu and akasha) are considered to be the elements of the physical world.

Prithvi tattva or Earth: Prithvi tattva or Earth is the end product of Gandha tattva which is the medium for olfactory sensations, the abode of Kundalini Shakti. Prithvi tattva implies stability, strength, concreteness, abundance, care and protection and represents the Mother Earth.

Jala tattva or Water: Jala tattva or Water is also known as Apas tattva which signifies the liquid state which is symbolic of the unlimited potentialities and transcendence. Jala tattva attributes the mythical chaos, the power of purification, regeneration, abundance, sexuality, primeval ocean (the birth place of life in Earth),the subconscious mind and empathy.

Vayu tattva or Air: Vayu tattva or Air is produced by Sparsha tattva( the medium of the tactile sensations). The Vayu tattva symbolizes penetration, the freedom of mind, intellect, masculinity, dryness, subtlety and elevation. The intake of Vayu (breathing) is indicative of "prana" or life which is the assimilation of spiritual power and is responsible for forming the etheric body ( Pranamaya Kosa).

Akasha Tattva or Ether : Akasha tattva or Ether, produced by Sabda( the medium for auditive sensations and associated with the fifth charka, Visudhha) is the fifth element . Akasha tattva, invisible in the physical world and void, is the support of the four other tattvas. It symbolizes the spirit which preserves a source of energy and the support of cosmic memory.

Teja Tattva or Fire: Tejas tattva or fire is the production of Rupa tattva which is the medium for visual sensations and correlates the third charka, Manipura Chakra. Traditionally a number of mythical and real animals like fox, horse, lion, salamander dragon and phoenix are associated with Tejas. It represents passion, intuition, digestive fire and uncreated light of consciousness which is also termed as Prakasha. The Tejas tattva represents the qualities of dynamic, masculinity, restlessness and exhibition. The conception of Agni or Tejas or Fire is associated with the concept of Soma(nectar) and forms complementary pair. This pair is the base of every creative process. Even in Tantric sexual alchemy, the duo of Tejas(agni)and Ojas (Soma)appears. Human psychology represents Tejas as the representation of intentional will and Soma as whatever is the object of that desire or will.

Mahatattva, the sixth factor of the tattvas changes the inner dynamics of these elements and rejuvenates the inner core by God consciousness. The Kundalini Shakti is activated and aroused through purification of the five elements of tattva. The balance of all these five elements leads to the perfection of Tantra Sadhana.