THE PANCHAMAHABHUTAs: Building Block of Existence

 

Ayurveda believes that the body is just the replica of the universe. Thus both body and universe are composed of Panchamahabhutas, which are the five basic elements of gross world. Ayurvedic philosophy is based upon this universal theory of Panchamanabhutas. Hence, each and every substance, body, its manifestations, durgs, diets, drinks all are around us is Panchabhautik.

Properties of Panchamahabhutas:

Akash (Space/ Ether): Sound, sense of hearing, porosity, power of differentiation into arteries, veins, nerves, muscles, bones and other parts of the body.

Vayu (Air): Touch, sense of touch, all activities and all vibrations of the body, lightness

Tejas (Fire): Color, sense of light, complexation (color of skin), digestive power, anger, energy or activity and heat.

Jala (water): Taste, sense of taste, liquidity of all liquid parts of the body, heaviness, coldness, viscosity, semen, power of producing semen.

Prithvi (Earth): Odour, sense of smell, hardness (all solid parts of the body), heaviness.

Panchamahabhutas and their relationships

Human body is also Panchabhautik

According to Charaka:

1. Earthy: Those parts of the body which are solid heavy bulky motionless rough and hard. Eg. Nails, bones, teeth, muscles, skins, ligaments, hair, faces etc are earthy. Smell and sense of smell are also earthy. It makes body strong and steady.

2. Watery: Those parts of body which are liquid inactive viscid soft slimy and which flow eg. Blood, lymph, fat, Kapha, sweat, urine etc are watery. It makes liquid parts of the body and makes body viscid, moist and compact.

3. Fiery: The heat of Pitta and the radiance of the body are fiery/agnya. Color and sense of sight is also fiery. Digestion, metabolism all are due to the fiery.

4. Airy: Inhalation, Exhalation, contraction, expansion, movement, opening and closing of eyelids etc are due to Vayu (airy). Since it is invisible its presence is inferred from its action and qualities. Touch and sense of touch are also airy. It makes body non-viscid, dry and light.

5. Ethereal: The pores and channels of the body are ethereal. Sound and the sense of hearing are also ethereal. It makes body soft porous and light.

Doshas, Dhatus, Upadhatus, Malas are all Panchabhautik in nature

Malas:

1. Mutra (Urine): Jala + Agni

2. Purisha (Stool): Prithvi

3. Sveda (Sweat): Jala

Dhatus:

1.      Rasa (Body fluid): Jala

2.      Rakta (Blood): Agni + Jala

3.      Mamsa (Flesh): Prithvi

4.      Meda (Fat): Prithvi + Jala

5.      Asthi (Bones.): Prithvi + Vayu

6.      Majja (Marrow): Jala

7.      Shukra (Semen): Jala

Doshas:

1.      Vata: Vayu + Akash

2.      Pitta: Agni + Jala

        3.     Kapha

Upadhatus:

1.      Stanya (Breast): Jala

2.      Aartava (Menstrual blood): Agni

3.      Kandaraas (Tendons): Prithvi

4.      Siraas (Blood vessels/ Nerves): Prithvi

5.      Vasaa (Fat.): Jala

6.      Twachaa (Skin): Prithvi

7.      Snaayu (Ligament): Prithvi