The first pada (quarter) of the four-fold Atman is the Self-principle known as *'Vishva'* or *'Vaishvanara'. At the cosmic (adhidaiva) level, Vedanta teaches its non-dual identity with **Virat. The second pada, at the individual (adhyatma) level, is named **Taijasa. At the cosmic level, Vedanta teaches its non-dual identity with **Hiranyagarbha*.
"Padyate gamyate iti padah — upaladbhi sthanam" meaning a pada is a place of realization. Taijasa is the *second place of realization* of the Self.
Its domain is the *dream state. In waking, though consciousness is stirred by the mind through various instruments, it appears connected to external objects — and the impressions (samskaras) of those experiences get deposited in the mind, making it like a **painted canvas*.
Without needing any external instrument, that mind — driven by *ignorance (avidya), desire (kama) and action (karma)* — begins to shine on its own, just like waking. All the senses, carrying the world's vasanas, merge into the mind, which is superior to them. The mind alone then reorganizes those samskaras and experiences them as external objects.
Since the mind is more interior than the outer senses, and is both the *knower and enjoyer* of its self-projected objects, it is called *Antahprajna* (inward-conscious). And since it is the *subject* within a luminous, object-free consciousness, it is called *Taijasa* — the Luminous One.
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*Seven Limbs of Taijasa:*
- Head — Heavenly realm (Dyuloka)
- Eyes — The radiant Sun
- Prana — The all-pervading Wind
- Body — Akasha (Space)
- Bladder — Water, the source of food
- Feet — The Earth
- Mouth — Ahavaniya fire of the Agnihotra
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*Nineteen Mouths of Taijasa:*
5 Jnanendriyas (organs of knowledge)
5 Karmendriyas (organs of action)
5 Pranas (vital airs)
4 Antahkaranas — Mind, Intellect, Ego & Chitta
Together these complete the count of *nineteen*