Tattva means the true nature of a thing and, in systematic philosophy, a basic principle of reality. Sāṃkhya counts twenty-five, from pure consciousness and matter through intellect, ego, mind, the senses and the elements. Kashmir Śaivism adds higher principles, counting thirty-six, from Śiva himself down to earth.
Tattva
“Thatness”: a principle of reality, as in the twenty-five principles of Sāṃkhya or the thirty-six of Kashmir Śaivism.
Also: Tattva