Panchamahabhutas or the five basic elements are the basis of existence.
How five elements came into existence?
Ancient sages (scientists) perceived that the first came forth Ether into existence.
- From the movement of Ether element came into existence the Air element.
- The air then produced friction resulting in the heat. This heat gave birth to the Fire element.
- The heat of fire dissolved certain ethereal matter and Water came into the existence.
- The solidification of water then gave us the molecules of Earth.
After that, came forth the Mineral, Vegetable, Animal and Human kingdom on earth. So, everything that is matter essentially contains these five elements. The Big-Bang theory resembles this, one may clarify it.
Let’s get to know how the five elements are ingrained into the human system-
Akasa (Ether)
So, in a way, Ether has manifested into the four other elements. Our body has many aspects of the Ether element. GI tract, Abdomen, Respiratory tract, Thorax, Tissues, Capillaries, Nose, and Mouth are all examples of Ether/space.
Vayu (Air)
The element of movement. Everything that moves has the Air element associated with it. Within the human body, the air is present in the expansion and contraction of lungs, and pulsation of the heart. In addition, every cell in the body moves, one can observe this under a microscope. Air element also governs the movements of the nervous system.
Agni (Fire)
The source of fire is the Sun in our solar system. Similarly, our metabolism is the sun (source of fire) of our system. The fire element is present in our digestive system as well as in the grey matter of the brain (manifested as intelligence). Digestion, body temperature, thinking, and vision are all functions of bodily fire. All enzyme systems and metabolism are regulated by this element.
Jal (Water)
Water manifests in the plasma, cytoplasm, in the mucous membranes, and as the secretion of digestive juices.
The water defines it all, the solid-state (Ice) of water is the manifestation of Earth. The Latent Heat (Fire) melts the ice into Water. Water gets evaporated as steam/vapors expressing the Air element. Then, this steam vanishes into Space or Ether.
Prithvi (Earth)
All the solid structure in the body are from the element Earth. Also, this element gives stability to the body.
Ayurveda and Panchamahabhutas
Ayurveda healing works on the elemental level. Such is the depth of this science. This is also the reason why Ayurveda need not look at isolated parts of the body, or mineral, vitamin, chemical or nutritional level of health.
It balances the body on a subtler level (Elemental) and the body balances itself on the grosser levels.
For instance, if a person is suffering from Ulcer, Ayurveda identifies this as an excess of the fire element. It will try to look at the patient’s life for the reasons of overheating. It could be eating too spicy and fiery foods. This may also be due to work/career resulting in hot temper or perhaps the person consumes alcohol excessively.
Once the cause is known, a treatment is given with more use of air and water elements to balance the heat with coolness. This automatically cures the Ulcer.
At last
The entire cosmos is an interplay of the energies of these five elements. Ayurveda categorizes five elements into Tridosha or three basic energies or functional principles or Bodily Humors; Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Every person has one dominating humor (either Vata or Pitta or Kapha). In other words, this allows Ayurveda to personalize the healing process.
Every individual is different. Everyone needs to be treated individually with the subtle aspects of Panchamahabhutas.
Above all, these five elements or Panchamahabhutas hold the secret of eternal health and wellness in them. We must treat them with respect and reverence, in result, these will treat us with respect and sound health (To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction).
