Bel (Greek, Latin) Ba`al (Chaldean) (from Semitic ba`al chief, lord)

Lord, chief; one of the supreme gods of the Chaldeo- or Assyro-Babylonian pantheon: the second of the triad composed of Anu, Bel, and Ea. Assyriologists have assumed that Bel was simply the title of a deity, which they have designated as En-lil (the mighty lord). In the division of the universe into heaven, earth, and water, Bel was considered as the lord of the land, and his temple at Nippur was called E-kur (the mountain house), just as Ea's was the watery house.

There have been many Bels, which may be one of the reasons that in The Secret Doctrine Bel is made equivalent to the Sun, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mercury. As Bel or Ba`al means Lord, the title becomes applicable to any of the important celestial bodies.

According to one account, the creation of the world and especially of mankind is ascribed to Bel. He is also called father of the gods; and his consort, Belit, is called mother of the gods. His eldest son in Sin, god of the Moon. Bel also brings about the deluge which destroys humanity, showing his dual aspect of evolver and destroyer.

Bel has been associated with the Phoenician Baal, the supreme god of the Canaanites, conceived also as the protective power of generation and fertility, connected with the moon. His female counterpart, Ashtoreth (Astarte, Ishtar) was considered as the receptive goddess, also a lunar divinity. In later times the rites connected with these deities became degraded into licentious orgies; sacrifices were made, apparently even human sacrifices, but at one time Ba`al was worshiped as a sun god.

His various names in the Old and New Testaments demonstrate the various aspects in which he was regarded. Thus in Exodus he was named Ba`al-Tsephon, the god of the crypt. He was likewise named Seth or Sheth, signifying a pillar (phallus); and it was owing to these associations that he was considered a hid god, similar to Ammon of Egypt. Among the Ammonites, a people of East Palestine, he was known as Moloch (the king); at Tyre he was called Melcarth. The worship of Ba`al was introduced into Israel under Ahab, his wife being a Phoenician princess.

"Typhon, called Set, who was a great god in Egypt during the early dynasties, is an aspect of Baal and Ammon as also of Siva, Jehovah and other gods. Baal is the all-devouring Sun, in one sense, the fiery Moloch" (TG 47). As to the leaping of the prophets of Ba`al, mentioned in the Bible (1 Kings 18:26), Blavatsky writes: "It was simply a characteristic of the Sabean worship, for it denoted the motion of the planets round the sun. That the dance was a Bacchic frenzy is apparent. Sistra were used on the occasion" (IU 2:45).

Bel is also the name for the sun with the Gauls.

(See also: Bel, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Beverage, Sacred. See SOMA

(See also: Beverage, Sacred, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Ba`al, Baal. See BEL

(See also: Ba`al, Baal, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Brahma's Day, Night, Age, Year, Life A Day of Brahma, a cosmic manvantara or out-breathing of Brahma, represents a period where worlds are evolved and pass through their allotted ages of manvantaric existence.

Each Day of Brahma consists of 1,000 aggregates of four yugas or 1,000 mahayugas (great ages). In a smaller sense it is also a mahamanvantara or kalpa of a planetary chain, composed of seven rounds, a period of 4,320,000,000 terrestrial years. A Night of Brahma, a cosmic pralaya, inbreathing of Brahma, or planetary paranirvana, is of equal length.

Seven Days of Brahma or seven planetary cycles make one solar kalpa. One Year of Brahma consists of 360 Divine Days and Nights, each Day of which is the duration of the imbodiment of a planetary chain, with Nights of equal length.

The Life of Brahma or of the solar system consists of 100 Divine Years (311,040,000,000,000 terrestrial years). The current Life of Brahma is about half completed -- a period of about 155,520,000,000,000 of our years having passed away since our solar system first began its mahamanvantara. There remain, therefore, fifty more Years of Brahma before the system sinks into cosmic pralaya. As only half the grand evolutionary period is accomplished, we are at the bottom of the cosmic cycle, i.e., on the lowest plane.

See also FOUR

(See also: Brahmas Day, Night, Age, Year, Life, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Baconian Methods The Baconian method corresponds roughly to what is known in logic as the inductive method of reasoning, of which Francis Bacon (1561-1626) was a great advocate, as contrasted with the deductive method.

Considered to be the method of modern science, it consists in inferring general laws from the observation of particular instances; whereas in the deductive method, general laws are assumed because of the natural harmony of the universe, and particular instances or consequences are deduced as flowing forth from them.

In the Baconian method particular phenomena are examined with the view of finding out what is essential and excluding what is nonessential, and thus establishing a general law; but the weakness of this method is that the number of particular phenomena or details to be examined in order to arrive at truth must be virtually coextensive with infinity; for in any instance a body of particular phenomena may be encountered which demands immediate readjustment or radical shiftings in opinions in process of crystallization. Actually the scientific method is a combination of both methods: we cannot interpret phenomena without having at the outset some principle in mind; moreover, no sooner have we established a general law than we begin to apply it for the discovery of other phenomena, thus using the deductive method.

A more important objection to the inductive method as used by modern science is that it limits the basis of reasoning to the relative paucity of data furnished by our physical senses, which data we must first learn to understand beyond doubt; otherwise our reasoning is vicious. Blavatsky states that the secrets of invisible nature cannot be thus inferred, but that we must call in the aid of higher senses in order to obtain the necessary foundation for reasoning and to insure the adequate understanding of discoverable data.

See also INDUCTIVE METHOD

(See also: Baconian Methods, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

A Theosophical definition of Round :

Round

The doctrine concerning our planetary chain commonly called that of the seven rounds means that the life cycle or life-wave begins its evolutionary course on globe A, the first of the series of seven (or ten) globes; then, completing its cycles there, runs down to globe B, and then to globe C, and then to globe D, our earth; and then, on the ascending arc, to globe E, then to globe F, and then to globe G. These are the manifest seven globes of the planetary chain. This is one planetary round. After the planetary round there ensues a planetary or chain nirvana, until the second round begins in the same way, but in a more "advanced" degree of evolution than was the first round.

A globe round is one of the seven passages of a life-wave during its planetary round, on any one (and therefore on and through each) of the globes. When the life-wave has passed through globe D, for instance, and ends its cycles on globe D, this is the globe round of globe D for that particular planetary round; and so with all the globes respectively. Seven root-races make one globe round. There are seven globe rounds therefore (one globe round for each of the seven globes) in each planetary round.

Seven planetary rounds equal one kalpa or manvantara or Day of Brahma. When seven planetary rounds have been accomplished, which is as much as saying forty-nine globe rounds (or globe manvantaras), there ensues a still higher nirvana than that occurring between globes G and A after each planetary round. This higher nirvana is coincident with what is called a pralaya of that planetary chain, which pralaya lasts until the cycle again returns for a new planetary chain to form, containing the same hosts of living beings as on the preceding chain, and which are now destined to enter upon the new planetary chain, but on and in a higher series of planes or worlds than in the preceding one.

When seven such planetary chains with their various kalpas or manvantaras have passed away, this sevenfold grand cycle is one solar manvantara, and then the solar system sinks into the solar or cosmic pralaya.

There are outer rounds and inner rounds. An inner round comprises the passage of the life-wave in any one planetary chain from globe A to globe G once around, and this takes place seven times in a planetary manvantara.

The outer round comprises the passage of the entirety of a life-wave of a planetary chain along the circulations of the solar system, from one of the seven sacred planets to another; and this for seven (or ten) times.

There is another aspect of the teaching concerning the outer rounds which cannot be elucidated here.

See also: Round , Mysticism, Body Mind and Soul

Brahma-Vishnu-Siva. See TRIMURTI

(See also: Brahma-Vishnu-Siva, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Bliss, Region of. See SUKHAVATA

(See also: Bliss, Region of, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

B'raisheeth, Brashith. See BERE'SHITH

(See also: Braisheeth, Brashith, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Bisexual. See ANDROGYNE; HERMAPHRODITE

(See also: Bisexual, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

This is a sitemap for Theosophy - B . Click on a link and you will find multiple definitions and articles related to the word.

B - Letter B, B'ne Alhim, Ba`al, ba`al zebub, Baal, babah, Babel, Babil Mound, Babylon, Bacchis, Bacchus, Bacon, Baconian Methods, Bacteria, Badarayana Vyasa, Baddha, Badha, Baetyl, Baetylus, Bafrast, Bagavadam, Bagh-bog, Bahak-Zivo, bahak-ziwa, Bahishprajna, Bahudaka, Bai, Bairagin, Bairagis, Baital Pachisi, Bal, Bala, Balaam, Baladeva, Balahala, Balarama, Balder, Baldr, Baldur, Bali, Bal-ilu, Balsamo, Balthazar, Bamboo Books, Bandha, Bandhakarana, Banyan, Baoth, Baphomet, Ba-po, Baptism, Bar Deisan, Barbelo, Bard, Bardaisan, Barddas, Bardesanes, Bardesanian, Bardesanian System, Bardo, Barelitae, Baresma, Bargalmer, Barhaspatyamana, barhisad, Barhishad, Barley, Bar-nang, barrister, bar-snan, Baruch, Basht, Basilidean, Basilides, Basilisk, Bast, Bath, Bath Kol, Bath Qol, Batoo, Batria, Batte-bazi, Batu, Batylos, Baubo, Bdelle, Be With Us, Beasts, Bee, Beelzebub, Beel-Zebub, Beelzebul, behemah, Behemoth, Beijve, Being and Nonbeing, Beith Elohim, Bel Shemesh, Bela-Shemesh, Bel-Belitanus, Belgamer, Belial, Bel-Merodach, Bel-Moloch, Belshazzar, Belus, Bembo, Ben, Ben Shamesh, Benedict, Benei Elohim bnei elohim, Benei Shemesh, Be-ness, Beni Elohim, Beni-Nabim bnei nebiim, Bennu, Benoo, Berasheth, Berasit, Bereshith, Bergelmir, Beriah, Bernard of Clairvaux, Berosus, Bes, Bestla, Beth, Beth Elohim, Bethel Stone, Betrayal of the Mysteries, Betyles, Betylos, Beverage, Bhadra Vihara, Bhadrakalpa, Bhadra-kalpa, Bhadrasena, Bhagat, Bhagats, Bhagavad-gita, Bhagavad-Gita, Bhagavan, Bhagavat, Bhagavata Purana, Bhagawan, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhante, Bhao, Bharata, Bharata Varsha, bharata-varsa, Bharata-varsha, Bhargava, Bhargavas, Bhaskara, Bhastrika Kumbhaka, Bhaumika Manvantara, Bhaumika Pralaya, Bhautya, Bhava, Bhavishya-Purana, Bhavisya-Purana, Bhikkhu, Bhikshu, Bhon, Bhon-pas, Bhons, Bhoot-dak, Bhoots, Bhoutya, Bhrantidarsanatah, Bhrigu, Bhuchari Mudra, Bhuhta-vidya, Bhuja, Bhuman, Bhumi, Bhur, Bhur Bhuvah Svah, Bhuranyu, Bhur-Bhuva, Bhur-loka, Bhuta, Bhutadi, Bhutalipi, Bhutan, Bhutasarga, Bhuta-sarga, Bhutatman, Bhutavan, Bhutavat, Bhuta-vidya, Bhuta-vijnana, Bhut-dak, Bhutesa, Bhutesvara, Bhuts, Bhuvana, Bhuvar-loka, Bhuvas, Bhuya-loka, Bible, Bifrost, Bihar Gyalpo, Bija, bil`am, Bilrost, Bimba, Binah, Binary, Biogenesis, Bios, Birds, Birs Nimrud, Birs-Nimrud Modern, Bisexual, Black Age, Black Dwarfs, Black Fire, Black Magic, Black Magicians, Blavatsky, Blavatsky Lodge, Bliss, Blood, Blood Rites, Blood Transfusion, Bne Aleim, Bne Alhim, Bnei, Bnei-Shamash, Bo Tree, Boar, Boat of the Sun, Boaz, Boddhisatwa, Bodha, Bodha-Bodhi, Bodhi Druma, Bodhi Tree, Bodhidharma, Bodhi-druma, Bodhimor, Bodhi-mur, Bodhisattva, Bodhisatwa, Bodhyanga, Bod-lhas, Bod-pa, Boehme, Boethius, Bogaterey, Bogatiry, Boha-eddin, Bohme, Boker, Bon, Bona Dea, Bona-Oma, Boneless Race, Bones, Bon-po, Boodhasp, Book of, Book of Sepher Hay-Yashar, Book of Changes, Book of Concealed Mystery, Book of Dzyan, Book of Enoch, Book of Khiu-te, Book of Splendour, Book of the Dead, Book of the Keys, Books of Kiute, Bopadeva, Bopaveda, Boqer, Bordj, Bore, Boreas, Borhan Quatiu, Borj, Borsippa, Borz, Bosheth, Both-al, Bo-tree, Bouh, Boundless, Boustrophedon, Brachmins, Bragi, Brahma Manvantara, Brahma Prajapati, Brahma Pralaya, Brahma Savarna, Brahma Vach, Brahma Vidya, Brahma Viraj, Brahma Yoga, Brahma's Day, Brahma's Night, Brahma-bhashya, brahmacarin, brahmacarya, Brahmachari, Brahmacharin, Brahmacharya, Brahmadanda, Brahmadevas, Brahmadicas, Brahmadikas, Brahmajnana, Brahmajnani, Brahmajnanin, Brahma-loka, Brahmana period, Brahmana Period, Brahmanas, Brahmanaspati, Brahmanda, Brahmanda-Purana, Brahmandika, Brahman-yogins, Brahma-pitris, Brahma-Prajapati, Brahma-prakriti, Brahmapura, Brahmapuri, Brahma-Purusa, Brahma-Purusha, Brahmaputra, Brahmaputras, Brahmarandhra, Brahma-rishi, Brahmarshi, Brahmarshis, Brahmarsi, Brahma-Rudra, Brahmas Day, Brahma-Samaj, Brahmasrama, Brahmasutras, Brahmatma, Brahma-Vach Brahma-Vac, Brahma-Vach-Viraj, Brahma-Vaivarta-Purana, Brahma-vidya, Brahma-Viraj, Brahma-Vishnu-Siva, Brahmin, Brahmo-Samaj, Brain, Brain-mind, Braisheeth, Brashith, Brazen Serpent, Bread and Wine, Breath, Breathing Exercises, Brhad-aranyaka, Brhaspati, Briah, Briareus, Briatic World, Bride, Brighou, Brigu, Brihadaranyaka, Brihad-aranyaka, Brihaspati, Briseus, Brisingamen, Bronze Age, Brotherhood, Brotherhood of Compassion, Brotherhood of Luxor, Brotherhood of the Grove, Brothers of Light, Brothers of the Shadow, Brothers of the Sun, Bruno, Bubaste, BubastŽ, Bubastis, Buddha Gautama, Buddha of Compassion, Buddha Siddharta, Buddhacchaya, Buddhachchhaya, Buddhachhaya, Buddhakshetra, buddhanga, Buddhangums, Buddhaphala, Buddhas of Contemplation, Buddha-Siddhartha, Buddhi, Buddhi-manas, Buddhindriyas, Buddhism, Buddhi-taijasi, Buddhochinga, Buddhochnicha, Buddhocinga, Budding, Budha, Budhaism, Budhism, Builders, Bull, Bull Worship, Bull-Worship, Bumapa, Bumi Haptaiti, Bundahis, Bundahish, Bunda-hish, Bur, Burham-i-Kati, Buri, Burning Bush, Buru Bonga, Busardier, Buthon, Butler, Butterfly T, Byan-chub, byang chub, Byang-khog, Byang-tsiub, Byang-tzyoobs, Bythos, Bythus

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Read more here: » Theosophy Sitemap I - B

Bharata-varsha. See BHARATA

(See also: Bharata-varsha, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Bo-tree. See BODHI TREE

(See also: Bo-tree, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Bel-Moloch. See MOLOCH

(See also: Bel-Moloch, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Brahma-bhashya. See SENZAR

(See also: Brahma-bhashya, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Bel-Belitanus. See BELIT

(See also: Bel-Belitanus, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Be-ness. See BEING AND NONBEING; PARABRAHMAN; THAT

(See also: Be-ness, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Barley. See GRAIN; WHEAT

(See also: Barley, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Bohme, Jakob. See BOEHME, JACOB

(See also: Bohme, Jakob, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Black Age. See KALI YUGA

(See also: Black Age, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)