The Panchamahabhutas

 

As mentioned earlier the three primordial forces ( sattva , rajas & tamas ) interweave to create the five elements( panchmahabhutas) which birth the entire creation.

 According to Ayurveda everything in life is composed of the Panchamahabhutas – Akash (Space), Vayu (Air), Jal (Water), Agni (Fire) and Prithvi (Earth). Omnipresent, they are mixed in an infinite variety of relative proportions such that each form of matter is distinctly unique. Constantly changing and interacting with each other, they create a situation of dynamic flux that keeps the world going.

This is a small example: Within a simple, single living cell for example the earth element predominates by giving structure to the cell. The water element is present in the cytoplasm or the liquid within the cell membrane. The fire element regulates the metabolic processes regulating the cell. While the air element predominates the gases therein. The space occupied by the cell denoting the last of the elements.

In the case of a complex, multi-cellular organism as a human being for instance, akash (space) corresponds to spaces within the body (mouth, nostrils, abdomen etc.); vayu (air) denotes the movement (essentially muscular); agni (fire) controls the functioning of enzymes (intelligence, digestive system, metabolism); jal (water) is in all body fluids (as plasma, saliva, digestive juices); and prithvi (earth) manifests itself in the solid structure of the body (bones, teeth, flesh, hair et al).

The Panchmahabhutas therefore serve as the foundation of all diagnosis treatment modalities in Ayurveda and has served as a most valuable theory for physicians to detect and treat illness of the body and mind successfully. For example if a person has more of the fire element in the body he may suffer from more acid secretion          (gastric/ digestive), which if causing harm in the form of hyperacidity etc., can be controlled by giving him food which contains more of jala (water) mahabhuta in it like sugarcane juice etc.

 

Table – 1

 

Panch Mahabhutas	Sense Organs	Sensory Faculty	Properties	Actions
Space	Ears	Hearing	*Creates natural space in the body	Produces softness, lightness and porosity
			* No distinct taste
Air	Skin	Touch	*Light, clear and dry.	Creates dryness, lightness and wasting
			*Governs breathing, movement of eyelids, joints, and other motor functions.
			*slightly bitter taste
Fire	Eyes	Sight	*Rough & bright	Helps in digestion,  improves eye sight
			*Controls temperature and luster of body colour.
			*Pungent taste
Earth	Nose	Smell	*Heavy, immobile, compact & rough.	*Increases firmness & strength of the body
			*Controls organs as teeth, nails, flesh, skin, tendons & muscles.	*Acts as a nutrient,  and purgative
			*Sweet taste.
Water	Tongue	Taste	*Cold, heavy fluid	*Imparts glossiness.
			*Slimy, fat and sweat by nature	*Enhances fluid content & purgative
			*Sweet & astringent, sour & saline taste.	*Acts as nutrient,  purgative.