The Sutratman of the Upanishads

Helena Petrovna Blavatsky · Constitution of Man Series · 8 pages

An appendix to the Fragments of Occult Truth, from The Theosophist of July 1883 and reprinted in Blavatsky Collected Writings IV under the heading Karma. The image the title turns on is given at once: the true individuality or spiritual monas is a thread, around which a long series of transient personalities are strung together like pearls — the figure that also gives the companion Theosophical Jewels plate in this section its subject.

The occasion is a question from N.D.K., a respected member of the Society, asking what Karma propels the higher Ego into the next birth when a highly depraved personality has been dropped out. Blavatsky begins by repeating what she says has been stated often: that the Fragments, being fragmentary and incomplete, will go on exhibiting difficulties and apparent discrepancies until the whole doctrine of the after-state is mastered — though students with intuitive perception have had enough philosophy given them to work out many details, especially if they live the life that clears the inner vision. She is candid about the limit: few such details can be given in a publication reaching outsiders as well as students, since there are secrets of initiation that cannot be communicated promiscuously without throwing minds into confusion. This particular tenet having already been outlined, she judges there is no further need for silence about it.

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