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| Pancha
Mahabhutas(The Five Elements) |
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| PRELIMINARY PRACTICES (Purva
Karma): |
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Everything
found on Earth can be classified into one of these five categories, based
on their innate characteristics. Ayurveda uses the characteristics of
the five elements (pancha mahabhutas) to identify various objects. The
pancha mahabhutas theory may sound simplistic, but it is actually a very
sophisticated method of classifying not only all the objects found on
Earth but also its natural cycles like days, seasons and life itself. |
Each of these prime elements possesses a characteristic
property through which we can apprehend it through the senses. The knowable
property of ether is sound; that of air is touch; that of fire is sight;
that of water is taste; and that of earth is smell. We grasp these properties
through the corresponding five sense organs of the ear, skin, eye, tongue,
and nose. Each element similarly possesses a secondary property that can
be felt through the skin.
The elements (mahabhutas) have certain qualities, attributes and impacts
on the body and mind. All objects and substances are a mixture of the
five elements, but they have one dominant element that allows them to
be identified and classified. Each sense is linked to a specific element
of the environment we live in, and is responsible for determining the
quality or nature of that element. Akasa transmits sound, which id received
(heard) by the ear. Vayu enables touch, which is detected in the skin
from movement (vibrations, weight and force).
Agni generates light, perceived by the eye through vision or sight in
the form of shape and colour. Jala allows taste as saliva breaks down
the compounds in the food eaten and comes in contact with the tongue.
Prthvi provides odour (smell) through the particles it distributes in
vayu.
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| Element |
Facilitates |
Sense |
Organ |
| Space-akasa |
Sound |
Hearing |
Ear |
| Air-vayu |
Movement |
Touch |
Skin |
| Fire-agni |
Light |
Sight |
Eye |
| Water-jala |
Flavour |
Taste |
Tongue |
| Earth-prthvi |
Odour/Fragrance |
Smell |
Nose |
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| Ayurveda
focuses on how to keep various elements balanced in the body, to prevent
constant discrepancies and the subsequent physical or psychological distress.
Balance (harmony) of the mind, body and soul is considered the state of
health, and imbalance (disharmony) is the state of disease.
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