By  Dr.P.M.Sharma  


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Vedic convention believes that solid, liquid; gaseous, living or non-living every thing in this cosmos is made of Panch mahabhootas. The panch mahabhootas are the establishment material of all that exists in this universe.
But how it could be possible and which arrangement was working behind; these creations are some curiosities appear in the conscious. MAHARISHI KANAD, MAHARISHI YAGYAVALKYA, MAHARISHI KAPIL have suggested in their texts or sanhitas.

There is a brief theory had been established by these maharishis after long arguments with each other, but it will facilitate that hypothesis here it will be additional expansion of the article, because the doctrine has many folds and standings with different apprehensions.

This cosmos begins due to desire of a supernatural force that is inexpressible or beyond the words and that is postulated in Vedas as AVYAKATA (PRABHU or almighty god). This is the supreme power or a supernatural being worshipped as controlling some part of the world or some aspect of life or who is the personification of that force and in Vedas this is postulated that this is supposed to be originator (Brahma), maintainer, manager (Lord Vishnu), as well as demolisher (Lord Shiva) too.
Gradually he brought in existence step-by-step 1-MAHAN (soul), 2- AHANKAR (ego or mind-stuff), 3- PANCH-TAN-MATRA (five essential senses like SHABD, SPARSH, ROOP, RAS, GANDH) and then PANCH-MAHA-BHOOTAS. The group of all these creations is known as life. All livings are came into their existence in this order but the ratio of theses things differs creature to creature.

However the panch mahabhootas are those essential or substantial matters, which are responsible to make a nature and contour of a physical configuration. All panch mahabhootas came into the existence in an orthodox order. This order starts from the AKASH and finishes with PRITHVI. They are here with their orthodox sequences.

1. AKASH: -
Literary meaning is sky but when we talk about panch mahabhootas it has distinguished meaning. In this reference of mahabhootas it means SHOONYA and zero in English. This is responsible to produce sound. All hollow organs are made of this. Nobody can obliterate it because it is eternal (NITYA).
The SHABDA or sound is the GUNA or quality of this mahabhoot.

2. Vayu: -
There are some kinds of Vata or vayu (as the depictions are find in the various literatures) are characterized according to the use of that. The bookish meaning of this is air or breeze, but in yoga and ayurvedic doctrines, this is different to the air or wind that is persisting around us. The Vata in fact is a motive as well as life-supporting factor in our existing life- system. To think, to swallow, to excrete or ejaculate, respiration, digestion, movements, to be sensitive for all issues, I mean to say that all activities are achievable only due to Vata. The Vata or vayu is something related to the motion of bodily systems and the forces associated therewith.
SHEET (cold in temperament), CHAL (impermanent) SOOKSHM (imperceptible by the eye and deep penetrating, Having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions) are some GUNAS or qualities of Vayu.

3. AGNI: -
Agni is fire characteristically in the literature. But in ayurvedic and yogic conditions that customarily govern behaviors and responses of both consider that it is rather a process of combustion or metabolism than the fire or flame as such. This is a sort of organic processes (in anywhere in body system) that are necessary for life. Thirteen forms of Agni are there in the Vedic postulations. The persona and appearance (ROOP) of someone depends on it.

4. JAL: -
In a way of literatures the jal is water. But mahabhoot jal is just not water or H2O. The jal mahabhoot is that constituent, which provide a consolidate form to any thing. For example take few pieces of cupper sulphate (CuSO4.24 H2O) and place that on a burner. After a few seconds you will observe that there are some drops of water are sticking on the wall of test tube and the color of cupper sulphate (CuSO4.24 H2O) that was peacock blue, has been changed into white as well as it is brittle too. Now that is not solid. Now add some drops of water at this moment experience the alteration. The color will be blue and after the evaporation of supplementary water the cupper sulphate (CuSO4.24 H2O) will be solid again. Take some flour of wheat and dough it with water. Now allow it to be dry. Now nobody bring flour in its natural state. It will be solid. We can say that the Jal mahabhoot is that mahabhoot which provides the consolidate form to a matter. This quality of the jal mahabhoot is known as PINDEE KARAN.

5. PRITHAVEE: -
The Prithavee mahabhoot provides us two man things 1. Mass (SANHITEE) and 2. Distinguishing odor (GANDH).
Have ever come to know that a spy dog fetched a culprit from the crowed of millions. How it could be possible? You have the answer. This distinctiveness in everything is constantly attributable to Prithavee mahabhoot.
Odor and mass both are the qualities of Prithavee mahabhoot.

All doshas as well as each and every thing, which is obligatory in ayurveda and yoga, all medicines and food items, are made of these five mahabhootas. For that reason they are all the substitute of each other. The proportion of mahabhootas can fluctuate in matter-to-matter and person-to-person; therefore the study of every utensil in ayurveda and yoga is must so that both can achieve their endeavor.

Without the knowledge of panch mahabhootas and doshas nobody can achieve anything. This subject is not as short as it is given in an article. But just for a comprehension for ayurveda and yoga enthusiasts we are making available them.
Editor
JAY (journal of ayurveda and yoga) For more and comments please mail us on www.ayurvedic-healings.com