five great elements

Ayurveda and Five elements (Panchamahabhoota)

Ayurveda is a very ancients wisdom from Himalayas. It is a knowledge of life. What is life? The first answer, that comes in mind about life is ,it is complicated. Why are the reasons that makes life complicated? How can we understand it? And what is the signification of understanding complicated life? If we get these answer , life is no more complicated and we are healthy and happy forever.

As some of the knowledge looks complicated, ancient sage made it simple by using different methods. One of the most popular methods to simplify is by co-relating. They would co-relate something very complex with simpler things. This not just helps to understand simply but also makes it interesting.

Why is it linked to Pancha-maha-bhoota (Five great elements)?

Five great elements are Earth, Water, Fire , Wind and Sky. Firstly, these elements are simply found in Nature. People easily understand by looking it. We all have been experiencing all of these every moment in our life.  Secondly, it includes large spectrum. Something very obvious (Earth) to something very subtle (Sky). As there is a big range between these two elements, everything can be fitted in.

How is Earth and Sky two extremities?

Earth is an element , that we can see, touch or feel, we can manipulate in different shapes and sizes independently. This in other word means we can use all five senses for earth element to experience. Sky is completely different. We can neither touch, nor see. In other words, non of the five senses can sense it. That’s why sky is  subtle and earth is obvious.

Where do Ayurveda combine five elements with its theory?

Ayurveda is based on Tri-dosha theory. Metaphorically, Ayurveda use tridosha to balance pancha-maha-boota. To understand this, first we have to understand that everything is made up of five elements.

ElementsCorrelates to:-
EarthSolid parts like bones
WaterLiquid and body fluids
FireEnergy, hormones, metabolism
WindMovement, nervous system
SkyEmpty or hollow parts within body

Tridosha itself is linked to five elements.

Tridosha

Elements

VataWind + Sky
PittaFire
KaphaEarth + Water

There is one another theory in Ayurveda , which says,

वृद्धिः समानैः सर्वेषां विपरीतैविपर्ययः 

It means every time when we add something similar , the end result is it increases. Contrary to that, If we add something different, the end result is it decreases. This is true for each elements, qualities of the elements and action  of the elements. Now, Ayurveda is about adjusting what is right. So once we co-relate all the components of life and dosha to five elements, we can easily adjust as per the requirements. This helps in linking everything to make Ayurveda a holistic approach.

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Dr Roshan

I am Roshan Baskota (Ayurveda Doctor) , did my Bachelor's Degree of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery from Institute of Medicine Tribhuwan University, Nepal. Followed by the study I have done certification programs on Advanced Metabolic Endocrinology from American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.
Beside academic study and certification , I have been chosen as a research supervisors by government of Nepal where I got chance to experience different traditional healers and their practice in Himalayas. Additionally, I have got knowledge from participating different seminars within and outside the country.

I have started my work as a Ayurveda general physician in clinics in Nepal. During that time I was also trained for Panchakarma and Ksharsutra procedures. After 2 yrs of clinical experience, I started working at a wellness resort , where I run a wellness programs mostly preventive, promotive and rejuvenative. I do Ayurveda consultation, pulse analysis to find prakriti (Body Type) and imbalances, and guide with different food, lifestyle and therapies. Addition to work, I love writing and making video blogs about Ayurveda and Yoga.

1 Comment

  1. Simon Morris says:

    Five elements theory is really vast and interesting. Thank you for sharing it.

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