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Pancha Mahabhuta - Five Great Elements: Akash (Ether)

The document discusses the Pancha Mahabhuta theory of the five great elements - Ether, Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. Each element is a combination of the five subtle essences or tanmatras of sound, touch, vision, taste, and smell. They are related to the sense organs and arise from each other in the order of Ether, Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. Each element has distinct qualities and properties that contribute to the structure, movement and functions of the physical body.

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256 views2 pages

Pancha Mahabhuta - Five Great Elements: Akash (Ether)

The document discusses the Pancha Mahabhuta theory of the five great elements - Ether, Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. Each element is a combination of the five subtle essences or tanmatras of sound, touch, vision, taste, and smell. They are related to the sense organs and arise from each other in the order of Ether, Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. Each element has distinct qualities and properties that contribute to the structure, movement and functions of the physical body.

Uploaded by

ANU M A
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Pancha Mahabhuta - Five Great Elements

The 5 great elements originate from pancha tanmatra. Tanmatra is a


Sanskrit word meaning subtle essence. These tanmatras incarnate to form
the 5 great elements. Each great element is a combination of all 5
tanmatras but shows predominance of one tanmatra. 
The 5 tanmatras are Sound (Shabda), Touch (Sparsha), Vision (Roopa),
taste (Rasa), Smell (Gnadha). These tanmatras are related to each sense
organ. 

In Ayurveda, it is said that components & functioning of the nature is


similar to our body components and its functions.  Pancha Mahabhuta
theory states that everything in the physical creation is composed of these
5 elements.  The very first element that comes to existence is akash
(Ether). It is most expansive and least concreate of all. The next element
derived is Vayu (Air) then comes Agni (Fire), then Jala (water) element is
formed and lastly Prithvi (earth) element is formed.

Akash (Ether) :
When we say Ether, words like space or a vast openness comes to one's
mind. Akash means having a cavity with freedom to move. The tanmatra of
ether element  is Shabda (Sound).
Whenever there is compactness of molecules, we get a dull sound on
tapping but when there is a cavity or hollow space, we get a resonant
sound.
The qualities of ether element are clear, light, subtle, and immeasurable.
Ether element is related with various actions like expansion, vibration, non-
resistance. Sensory organ related to ether element is ear as it is hollow and
transmits the sound waves.

Vayu (Air):
Air is the great element that shows a sense of movement. Vayu or air
initiates & directs motion or movement. Air element keeps the body in
constant motion. 
The tanmatra of Air element is Sparsha (Touch). The sensory organ related
to Air element is skin. Skin is very sensitive for detecting any movement,
change in pressure or vibration in subtle form. Any movement against skin
can be easily registered. 
Air element is mobile, dry, light, cold and subtle in nature. Its main action
is to do any kind of movement. 
Tej (Fire):
The previous element, Air performs different movements; whenever there
is movement, it produces friction and leads to formation of heat or fire.
This element is also called as teja or agni. All various forms of
transformation including digestion of food are carried out by fire element.  
The tanmatra of fire element is Rupa (Vision). Perception of light is carries
out by this tanmatra. Fire element is hot, sharp, light, dry and subtle.  
Various functions carried out by this element are penetration, digestion of
food, and transformation of thoughts, intelligence and perception of light. 

Jala (Water):
The fourth element is water. It is also called as jala or Apa. Whenever we
think of water qualities like liquidity or fluidity comes to our mind. Water
shows important quality of binding - e.g. if we see dry soil, we cannot
make a ball out of it.  But if we add water to the soil, then we can easily
make mud balls. This binding nature helps in forming different structures in
the body as it binds the 2 cells together. Hence this element is a
constructive force. 
The tanmatra of water element is rasa (taste). The sense of taste or the
ability to taste depends on the liquidity that exists within in the mouth in
the form of saliva. Dry mouth along with dry tongue is unable to give sense
of taste. The water element exhibits qualities like cool, liquid, dull soft, and
sliminess. Its main actions are cohesiveness and adhesiveness.

Prithvi (Earth):
This is the last element. It is solid, dense, gross and very hard. It is related
to all solid and hard structures that show shape - e.g. bones, muscles,
teeth and nails. The Earth element is responsible for giving structure,
shape and strength to the body.   

The tanmatra for Earth element is Gandha (Smell). The small particles of
earth are scattered all over the palce gives us the sense of smell. The
sensory organ related is nose. Nose is more hard compared to other
sensory organs. Qualities of earth element are heavy, dull, dense hard and
gross.   

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