Properties of Panchamahabhutas

Etymology

Panchamahabhutas is made of three words — Pancha (five), Maha (great) and Bhutas (that which exists). Bhuta derives from the root bhu dhatu and the suffix kta, meaning “existence in the universe” — that which can be perceived through the external sense organs. Since these elements pervade the whole universe, they are called Mahabhutas (great elements). Nothing is devoid of these five elements.

Human beings and Panchamahabhutas

According to Charaka (Shareera 6/4), the combination of chetana (the life element) with the Panchamahabhutas is called shareera (the body). When the five basic elements combine with the soul (atma), human life manifests as a physical body composed of these five elements.

Influence of Panchamahabhutas in embryogenesis

During fetal development each Mahabhuta performs a specific function:

• Vayu — cell division and multiplication (vibhajana)
• Agni — metabolism (pachana)
• Jala — moisture and fluid maintenance (kledana)
• Prithvi — compactness and mass formation (samhanana)
• Akasha — enlargement in size (vivardhana)

Normal, proportional functioning of these creates a proper body structure. By the third month of pregnancy the body constituents form, each with its corresponding Mahabhuta function.

Panchamahabhutas and the organ entities of the body

All body tissues and organs are composed of Panchamahabhutas, each possessing inherent physical properties:

• Prithvi (earth) forms the structural components — bones, teeth, nose, tendons
• Aapya (water) forms the liquid, soft and slimy organs — lymph, blood, muscle fat, tongue, kapha, pitta, sweat, semen and body fluids
• Agni (fire) forms the heat-related, intense organs — eyes and body temperature
• Vaayaveeya (wind) forms the dry, light organs that stimulate movement — tissue production, inhalation, exhalation, inspiration and the opening and closing of the eyes
• Aakasheeya (ether) forms the light, subtle entities — the spacing between blood vessels, muscle, tendon and soft tissues, and the body’s passages and ducts

Panchamahabhutas and the mind

According to Ayurveda, Sattva, Rajas and Tamas are the qualities (gunas) of the mind. According to Sushruta:

• Prithvi Mahabhuta — predominant in tamas
• Jala Mahabhuta — predominant in sattva and tamas
• Akasha Mahabhuta — predominant in sattva
• Vayu Mahabhuta — rich in rajas
• Agni Mahabhuta — predominant in sattva and rajas

Panchamahabhutas and the Tridoshas

The body is composed of Panchamahabhutas, which form its physical anatomy; its functions derive from the Tridoshas (vata, pitta, kapha):

1. Vata dosha — a combination of Vayu and Akasha (air and ether)
2. Pitta dosha — formed by Agni and Jala (fire and water)
3. Kapha dosha — formed by Prithvi and Jala (earth and water)

Vata (Vayu + Akasha)

Vata represents the body’s air component. Air requires space, which is provided by ether (akasha). The whole body contains spaces, including intracellular and extracellular areas. When vitiated, vata accumulates in different parts of the body and causes pain — all bodily pains, including sciatica and joint pains, result from vata accumulation.

Pitta (Agni + Jala)

When pitta is vitiated, digestive issues, blood disorders and skin problems manifest.

Kapha (Jala + Prithvi)

When the water component is vitiated, fluid-accumulation disorders occur. Respiratory problems such as cough, cold and sinus congestion result from kapha dosha.

Application of Panchamahabhutas in disease management

Panchamahabhuta theory is applied directly to treatment. The individual’s panchabhautik constitution and the pathogenesis of the disease are observed, and medicines of the opposite panchabhautik constitution are then used to restore equilibrium. Treatment corrects the vitiated components, enables them to function effectively and strengthens them; medicines are selected according to a deficit or excess of a dosha, with the aim of normalising it.

Role of Bhutagni in digestion and metabolism

During digestion and metabolism, food passes through three levels of agni action:

1. Jatharagni — gross digestion
2. Bhutagni — each Mahabhuta’s agni component selectively digests the corresponding component of the food (e.g. parthiva agni digests and metabolises the prithvi component)
3. Dhatvagni — forms the body constituents through selective processes

Since both the body and food are composed of Panchamahabhutas, ingested food increases the relevant Mahabhuta and the corresponding body component.

Taste (Rasa) and Panchamahabhuta predominance

The Panchamahabhuta composition of a substance determines its taste, and each taste performs a relevant biological activity (Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana 42/03; Charaka Samhita, Sutra Sthana 26/40), applied therapeutically:

Relationship between Panchagavya and the Panchamahabhutas

Panchagavya — the five products of the native breed cow (gomaya, gomutra, milk, ghee and buttermilk/curds) — represents the Panchamahabhutas:

• Akasha / Space — buttermilk
• Vayu / Air — gomutra
• Jala / Water — milk
• Agni / Fire — ghee
• Prithvi / Earth — gomaya

Panchagavya Chikitsa therefore identifies the panchabhautik imbalance and restores equilibrium through medicines prepared using Panchagavya.