• by Admin
• June 08, 2020

Panch Mahabhuta Tattva (Five Great Elements)

Universe and human body is an interplay of the energies of the five great elements Prithvi (Earth), Jala (Water), Vayu (Air), Agni (Fire), Aakash (Ether), which are the building blocks of all matter. “AYUSKAMA” logo is also inspired and represents these Panch Mahabhuta Tattva (five great elements).
Each of these Panch Mahabhuta Tattva (five great elements) has its own functions and characteristic described below:

Prithvi (Earth):

The first tattva of Pancha Mahabhuta Tattva (five great elements) is “Earth” which is translated as Prithvi/Bhumi in Sanskrit. This tattva is perceived by five senses that are Hearing, Smell, Taste, Touch and Sight. The physical body with muscles and bones refers to Earth.

Jala (Water):

The second most important tattva is “water” Jala in Sanskrit. This tattva has no odor (smell) but can be heard, felt, seen and tasted. In human body, blood and other fluids are referred to Water.

Agni (Fire):

The next higher tattva in human body is “fire” Agni in Sanskrit. In human body the temperature, jatharagni are refers to the fire. It can be heard, felt and seen.

Vayu (Air):

The fourth tattva of Pancha Mahabhuta Tattva (five great elements) is “Air” Vayu or Pavan in Sanskrit. Air can be felt and heard only; one cannot see the air. In human body, the oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body refers to Air. It is considered as one of the most important factors in Pranayama.

Akash (Ether):

The fifth and last tattva of Pancha Mahabhuta Tattva (five great elements) is “Ether” which is translated in Sanskrit at Akash. Ether is the medium of sound but is inaccessible to all other senses. And as in human body the Atma (Soul) refers to Ether.

The combination of these Pancha Mahabhuta Tattva (five great elements) makes our body and will dissolve into respective elements upon death.

These are the characteristics of Pancha Mahabhuta Tattva (five great elements), out of which this universe is made up of. Using these attributes, everything in the world can be classified to be made up of a combination of these Pancha Mahabhuta Tattva (five great elements) in different ratios and propositions. Even all the natural elements in the modern periodic table in chemistry can be classified under these Pancha Mahabhuta Tattva (five great elements).
For example, a steel rod has more earth than wood. Wood has earth and water. Our body has all 5 i.e. Ether and Air (Hollow Organs and body cavities). Fire (temperature, jatharagni), Earth (Bony structures) and water (Saliva, digestive Juices and intracellular or extracellular fluid).

An atom also depicts the combination of Pancha Mahabhuta Tattva (five great elements). The electric charge depicts the fire energy within the atom. Nuclear reaction is also an example of fire energy contained within an atom.

The Earth element is represented by the mass of the electron, proton and neutrons as well as subatomic particles within an atom.

Water is responsible for the cohesion between the subatomic particles. They are bound in an atom because of the cohesive nature of the water element.

The empty Air element is represented by the force which is causing movements of the electrons around the nucleus.

Ether is empty space between space in and around atoms.

The balance of these Energies, particularly Vata (Air), Pitta (Fire), Kapha (Water) keeps the atom and prevents it from becoming an atomic bomb. Similarly, these energies are moving the whole universe.

The example of planets and galaxies moving around in space also fit into the example of a tri-energy module.

The balance of these elements fluctuates in different environments and one element can transform into another. For example, the water element can change into the earth element if it is stored in a very low temperature. Similarly, the same water if heated turns into a stream and evaporates and becomes space.

Similarly, if we burn something, it will change its form. Suppose we burn a piece of paper, part of it evaporates by becoming space and air and it changes from earth to Air and Space.

Representation of Pancha Mahabhuta Tattva (five great elements) in Human being:

Pancha Mahabhuta Tattva (five great elements) are present in various living and non-living things in various ratios and proportion. Living things have five great elements and a soul whereas non-living things have only five great elements in their composition.

These Pancha Mahabhuta Tattva (five great elements) represent themselves in the form of 3 energies in human called ‘Dosha’ or Tri-Dosha. These Dosha can also be called Tri-Energies.

Ayurveda

According to Ayurveda and Yoga, Pancha Mahabhuta Tattva (five great elements) are associated with the overall health of human beings. Any disorder in human body indicates imbalance of one or more of these elements. Yoga Tattva Mudra Vijnana relates these Pancha Mahabhuta Tattva (five great elements) to five fingers of human being. Different Mudra were developed to balance these in human body which form the Hasta Mudra in yogic tradition and are used in Naturopathy.

The three dosha- three intrinsic tendencies, which, according to Ayurveda are intrinsic in every human being, are a representation of a combination of these Pancha Mahabhuta Tattva (five great elements) in human body. The three Dosha have subtle positive essences which control the mind and body function.

Yoga:

According to Yoga, the aim of sadhana is to have mastery over oneself. This mastery can be achieved by mastering all the basic elements. The process of gaining mastery over these elements and purifying them is called Bhuta Shuddhi. Pancha Mahabhuta Tattva (five great elements) Stalam is a representation of Pancha Mahabhuta Tattva (five great elements) for yogic practice. People used to move from one temple to another and do sadhana on a particular basic element.

Seven Chakras: The seven Chakras in the human subtle body are associated with these Pancha Mahabhuta Tattva (five great elements).

Hasta Mudras:

Hasta Mudra or hand posture is based on the Pancha Mahabhuta Tattva (five great elements). The basic assumption is that all the Pancha Mahabhuta Tattva (five great elements) can be represented by five different fingers in human body as shown in the table below.

Vastu:

Vastu shastra emphasizes on the placement of Pancha Mahabhuta Tattva (five great elements) in specified direction and the balance of these elements determines the condition of the associated structure.

These correlations are used to define an ideal home: The house itself is placed so that maximum load and weight is in the southwest area of the plot. Thus, there is maximum open space in the north and east sides of the plot, satisfying Vayu/air and Akasha/ether. The main gate, the verandah and the main door are in the northeast of the house; south of the verandah the main living room, and south of that one or two bedrooms. The kitchen is placed in the southeast corner of the house, to balance Akasha and Agni.

Taste:

Pancha Mahabhuta Tattva (five great elements) is associated with six human tastes as below.

Jyotish / Astrology:

Jyotish, in Sanskrit translated as “Science of Light,”. The term Jyotish includes the study of astronomy, astrology and the science of timekeeping using the movements of astronomical bodies.

The classification of Rashi based on the Pancha Mahabhuta Tattva (five great elements) is of great significance in Jyotish. Jyotish/Astrologer can find the nature of a person by studying the Tattva and their potencies in a birth chart. Pancha Mahabhuta Tattva (five great elements) are represented by these five planets: Jupiter for Ether, Saturn for Air, Mars for Fire, Mercury for Earth, and Venus for Water.

In upcoming blogs we will try to explain more details about the importance of Pancha Mahabhuta Tattva in the segments discussed above.

Always wishing for your long & healthy life.Ayuskama