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PROPERTIES OF PANCHAMAHABHUTAS

ETYMOLOGY:

The word, Panchamahabhutas is made up of 3 words Pancha (five), Maha (great), Bhutas (that which exists).

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The word, "BHUTA", is derived from "BHU", DHATU (Sanskrit Root), and "KTA", (Pratyaya Suffix).

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It means "Existence in the UNIVERSE", that which can be perceived through the EXTERNAL SENSE ORGANS is called BHUTA. Maha means large.  Since they encroach all through the universe and its components and show their presence, they are called Mahabhutas (larger elements). Nothing is devoid of these 5 elements.

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Ashtanga Sangraha Sutra Sthana 17/3.

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These mahabhutas are present in all moving and inert objects, materials, and substances of the universe including human beings, animals and plants.

HUMAN BEINGS AND PANCHAMAHABHUTAS:

According to Charaka, Charaka Shareera 6/4, the combination of Chetana (soul or life element) and Panchamahabhutas is called Shareera.

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“Shareram Naama Chetanaa Adhisthana Bhootam Pancha Mahabhoota Vikaara Samudaayaatmakam.”

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When these 5 basic elements (Panchamahabhutas) combine with the soul (atma) the life element, a life gets manifested (human being) in the mass of 5 elements which we call as physical body.

INFLUENCE OF PANCHAMAHABHUTAS IN EMBRYOGENESIS:

Mahabhutas play basic functions during embryogenesis. After formation of fetus (Garbha), Vaayu performs the functions of cell division/multiplication (VIBHAJANA), Agni performs the function of METABOLISM (Pachana), JALA carries the function of MOISTURE of FLUID (Kledana), PRITHVI carries the function of COMPACTNESS OR FORMATION OF MASS (Samhanana) and AKASHA carries the function of ENLARGEMENT of SIZE (Vivardhana). If these functions are carried out in normal proportion, the normal structure of body (Shareera) is formed, (Sushrutha Samhitha Sharira 5/3). In the third month of pregnancy, body constituents are formed and relative functions begin according to the corresponding Mahabhuta (Charaka Samhitha Sharira Sthana 04/12).

PANCHAMAHABHUTAS AND THE ORGAN ENTITIES OF BODY:

All the tissues and organs of our body are made up of Panchamahabhutas. Each of these elements possesses inherent physical properties.

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Prithvi or earth element forms the structural part of the body, like bones, teeth, nose, tendons etc.

Aapya or water elements form the organs which are liquid, soft, and slimy, like lymph, blood, muscle fat, tongue, kapha, pitta, sweat, semen, body fluids etc.

Agni or fire elements form the organs which have functions related to heat and intense in nature, like eyes, body temperature, etc.

Vaayaveeya or wind elements form the organs which have functions which are dry and light in nature. They stimulate and motivate movements, like production of tissues, inhalation, exhalation, inspiration, opening and closing of eyes.

Aakasheeya or ether elements form organs and entities which are light and intense in nature.  Spacing between blood vessels, muscle, tendon and soft tissues, passages in the channels, ducts of body, etc.

PANCHAMAHABHUTAS AND MIND:

SATVADI GUNAS OF MAHABHUTAS:

According to Ayurveda, Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas are the Gunas (qualities of the MIND). The BODY and MIND components together comprise the individual. According to Sushrutha,

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Prithvi Mahabhuta (earth) is predominant in TAMAS quality.

Jala Mahabhuta (water) is predominant in SATTVA and TAMAS qualities.

Aakasha Mahabhuta (ether) is predominant in SATTVA quality.

Vayu Mahabhuta (air) is rich in RAJAS Quality.

Agni Mahabhuta (fire) is predominant in SATTVA and RAJAS qualities. 

PANCHAMAHABHUTAS AND THE TRIDOSHA RELATIONSHIP:

The entire body is made up of Panchamahabhutas. Thus, Panchamahabhutas form the physical components and make up the anatomy of the body. The body functions are rendered by Tridoshas, vata, pitta, kapha, which are also derived from the combination of Panchamahabhutas.

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  1. Vata dosha, combination of Vayu and Akasha Mahabhuta, (air and ether).

  2. Pitta dosha, formed by the combination of Agni and Jala Mahabhutas, (fire and water).

  3. Kapha Dosha, formed by the combination of Prithvi and Jala Mahabhutas, (earth and water).

Types of doshas and their functions:

In normal condition and when in equilibrium 3 doshas are responsible for all functions of body.

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Imbalances occurring with respect to one or more elements in the body would lead to diseases pertaining to that element.

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For example: Bone tissue (asthi) is made up of predominantly prithvi/earth element (one of the 5 panchamahabhutas). When this prithvi element undergoes imbalance it leads to bone related diseases osteoarthritis etc.

 

VATA: VAAYU + AKASHA Mahabhuta (Air +ether).

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Vata is the air component in the body. Air needs space to move and that space is provided by the ether element (akash). Entire body is made up of spaces including space inside and outside body cells. This is the ether element (akash). When this vata gets vitiated, it gets accumulated in the different parts of the body and causes pain. All the body pains are due to VATA ACCUMULATION. Sciatica, joint pains, etc.

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PITTA:

AGNI + JALA Mahabhuta (fire and water). When the pitta gets vitiated in the body, digestion related issues, blood disorders, skin disorders etc manifest in the individual.

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KAPHA:

JALA + PRITHVI. When the JALA TATTVA, water component gets vitiated in the body it causes disorders related to fluid accumulation. Problems associated with respiratory system like cough, cold, sinus, etc are all due to KAPHA DOSHA.

APPLICATION OF PANCHAMAHABHUTAS IN DISEASE MANAGEMENT:

Panchamahabhuta theory is applied in the management of diseases.

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The PANCHAMAHABHAUTIK CONSTITUTION of the individual and pathogenesis of disease is observed, medicines having the opposite PANCHABHAUTIK CONSTITUTION are administered to restore EQUILIBRIUM in the body.

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The treatments will be to correct the vitiated components, enable them to perform their functions effectively and to strengthen them. The medicines will be chosen based on the deficit or excessive of Dosha and aim will be to bring them back to normal.

ROLE OF BHUTAGNI IN DIGESTION AND METABOLISM:

In the process of digestion and metabolism, the food passes through three levels of ACTION of AGNI. At first, it is acted upon by JATHARAGNI for GROSS DIGESTION. Then, it is acted upon by BHUTAGNI. At this level, the AGNI component of each MAHABHUTA carries out selective digestion process of their respective component of food. The PARTHIVA AGNI digests and metabolizes the PRITHVI component of ingested food. Further, the body constituents are formed by selective process of DHATARAGNI (Charaka Samhitha CHIKITSA STHANA 15/12-14).

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Body is formed by PANCHAMAHABHUTAS and so is food. When food is ingested the relevant Mahabhuta and body components are increased (Sushrutha Samhitha Sutra Sthana 46/5 26).

TASTE (RASA) AND ITS PANCHAMAHABHUTA PREDOMINANCE

Panchamahabhuta composition determine specific taste of a substance. Accordingly, the tastes or rasa perform relevant biological activities and affects. (Sushrutha Samhitha Sutra Sthana 42/03) (Charaka Samhitha Sutra Sthana 26/40). These are applied for therapeutic purpose.

 

                    RASA                                              MAHABHUTA                                    PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECT ON dosha

           Sweet (Madhura)                                      Prithvi, Jala                                              Pacification of Vata, Pitta.

               Sour (Amla)                                           Prithvi, Agni                                                   Pacification of Vata

               Spicy (Katu)                                           Vayu, Agni                                                   Pacification of Kapha.

              Bitter (Tiktha)                                        Vayu, Akasha                                           Pacification of Kapha, Pitta.

       Astringent (Kashaya)                                    Prithvi, Vayu                                            Pacification of Kapha, Pitta.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PANCHAGAVYAS AND PANCHAMAHABHUTAS:

Panchagavya (pancha means five, gavya - gaavo iti gavya meaning that which belongs to cattle (gou)).

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Chikitsa - treatment.

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Panchagavya therefore means five products of native breed cows namely, gomaya (cow dung), gomutra (cow urine), milk, ghee, and buttermilk/curds.

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Panchagavya Chikitsa is based on the medicine prepared using the five products of cow (gomaya, gomutra, milk, ghee, and curds) along with the relevant herbs. These five cow products represent the PANCHAMAHABHUTAS namely,

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AKASH / Space tattva (buttermilk)

Vayu /Air tattva (Gomutra)

Jal/ Water Tattva (milk)

Agni/Fire Tattva (ghee)

Prithvi/Earth Tattva (gomaya).

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Therefore, PANCHAGAVYA CHIKITSA, is that system of treatment wherein the PANCHABHAUTIK IMBALANCE is identified and the "EQUILIBRIUM IS RESTORED", through the medicine prepared using "PANCHAGAVYA".

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