Theos-Talk Archives (January 1999 Message tt00307)

Rich wrote:

> and nowhere (that I've found)
>does HPB herself call it a Sanskrit word, except in the Glossary -- which as
>Dallas says, is a pretty suspect document in some ways. (I wrote weeks ago
>that the Glossary is "untrustworthy," particularly if it is one's sole
>reference, which in Dallas' case, it certainly is not.)

Tony replied:

> It was mentioned that it is also in the Glossary to "The Key to Theosophy,"
> 2nd ed., 1890.(even though slightly different)
> You are saying "I
> >wouldn't attribute that error to KH, or possibly even to HPB."
> Others are saying it isn't an error.
> It is a Theosophical definition of Devachan, whose essence is in Sanskrit,
> and it doesn't mean "the dwelling of the gods."

Daniel comments:

Tony, you are absolutely right that the definition of devachan is not only in THE
THEOSOPHICAL GLOSSARY but also in the glossary appended to the 2nd edition of the
KEY TO THEOSOHY published late 1890.  BTW, this 1890 edition is available from
Kessinger.

So Rich, this definition is by HPB as far as I can tell.  Don't blame Mr. Mead.

Tony, could you expand on your comments about Devachan:

>It is a Theosophical definition of Devachan, whose essence is in Sanskrit,
> and it doesn't mean "the dwelling of the gods."