Elemental Exploration

As we shift our attention from the energetic state represented by qualities towards the manifest world of substances, we encounter the Five Great Elements, or Pancha Maha Bhutas. The elements of Ether, Air, Fire, Water, Earth, are the foundation of our material world. Building on our previous article, which covered Gunas (Quality), we discovered that each element possesses distinguishing Gunas. Also, since Gunas are precursors to action (Karma), each element has a kinetic effect. The five elements are perceptible through our sense organs and each plays an important part in establishing and maintaining our human body.

Since the elements represent the building blocks of the universe, the story of their manifestation analogizes a story of creation.

Once upon a time, there was no material substance. In this primordial universe, the only thing that existed was an all-encompassing, cosmic consciousness. This consciousness contained everything that ever was or would be, yet it lacked any material form—being paradoxically “non-existent” while simultaneously universally present. All that ever was and all that ever will be lingered here in a state of un-manifested potential energy, like a tree contained within a seed, dormant and ready to be awakened.

How and why the rest of creation ensued is probably a question better fielded by a monk or priest, but since we are here, I’ll share one possible explanation inspired by the ancient Sankhya Philosophy which describes the journey of consciousness into matter. Consider that we each represent a microcosm of our macrocosm, and that our individual soul’s ultimate purpose is to know the Self. Then, it is possible that this journey of consciousness into matter we experience as “life” is the result of our macrocosm’s paralleled journey to know it’s self through all its countless material permutations. Anyways, let us not dwell in the realm of philosophy, and return our attention towards the elements.

Surging outward, the sound of OM marked the creation of space and our first element, Ether or Akasha.

The ancient Indian philosophy of Vaishashika (where we derive a great deal of our elemental theory) states that all of the space of our universe is actually a single universal atom of Ether. Since this element is unlimited, encompassing the entire universe, it cannot be directly perceived. It’s simply too vast. However, this element creates the substratum of sound. So, while it’s impossible to truly perceive Akasha, one can infer its presence through the existence of sound. To visualize the relationship between space and sound, imagine a drum. Essentially this drum is a surface and a cavity of space where vibration can resonate. If one fills the open space with a blanket, it would lose most of its sound since the instrument has lost most of its space.

Ether element provides the opportunity for all elements and material substances to occur. Similar to sound reverberating outward in all directions, Ether characterizes the initial onset of our material universe, or the shift from nothing into something. This concept has been echoed by modern scientists who popularized the Big Bang Theory. This ‘big bang’ is the manifestation of Ether and therefore the manifestation of sound. Not only does ancient Vedic science discuss this idea, but they even identify the original sound or ‘bang’ as the primordial sound of OM.

In Sanskrit, the word Akasha means all-encompassing, all-pervading, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent. Akasha is characterized by emptiness and potentiality. Ether gives complete freedom to move, one cannot feel the touch of Either as it is completely non-resistant. The qualities given to Ether include clarity, lightness, subtlety, softness, and immeasurability. The Karmas (actions) associated with Ether include vibration, expansion, non-resistance, freedom, and love. Dr. Vassant Lad describes Ether as “the descent of intelligence into the heart of matter,” and states that “Ether is the pure presence of spiritual energy and consciousness.”

Biologically, we encounter the Ether element through one’s very state of consciousness. For example, it is common to refer to someone who is enveloped in low energy as having a negative “head space.” Furthermore, every bodily cell and organ possesses space. We also reference Ether when referring to the Chakras. For example, the heart chakra doesn’t literally mean the physical heart, but more so the overall “space” of one’s heart. If someone is experiencing blockage at their heart chakra, we could interpret this as the heart space lacking sufficient Ether element. The state of an individual’s Ether element can also be perceived through the presence or absence of a feeling of “freedom.” Here we appreciate that someone who feels stuck or trapped is really experiencing a deficiency in Ether, whereas an open and expansive state of consciousness implies ample Ether element.

When within the space of Ether there is a movement in a particular direction, the second element is manifested: Air, or Vayu.

In Sanskrit, Vayu conveys the principle of movement. Ether also represents movement in the form of vibration and expansion. However, this movement is universal, whereas the movement of Air is specific and directional.

Each element possesses all previous elements including itself—which makes sense when we define Air as movement through Ether. Therefore, Air can be perceived through Sound (unique characteristic of Ether) and Touch (unique characteristic of Air). To visualize this, imagine a cool breeze. This breeze, cannot be seen but it can be inferred through the touch of air on one’s skin, or the sound of air as it rustles through leaves.

Mobile, dry, light, cold, rough, and subtle qualities characterize Air element. While the Ether element also does not possess moisture nor heat, only through Air do we experience the qualities of dry, rough and cold. It is through the mobility of Air that these qualities manifest. For example, one experiences cold through the touch of Air on the skin—not by hearing it, which is the only perceivable sense of space. Similarly, as Air moves across one’s skin, it wicks away moisture which causes dryness. Then, over time, as dryness advances or worsens, it becomes rough.

Biologically, Air is responsible for all directional movement and is the force that keeps the body and all our cells in constant motion. Air represents electrical energy and nervous electrical impulses. In the body, our sense organs obtain information from the outside world, these sensory stimuli are transmitted through electrical impulses from the Peripheral Nervous System to the Central Nervous System. After the CNS processes the information it then directs an appropriate motor response to the PNS. Additionally, the movement of a beating heart, respiration, peristalsis, and all other involuntary bodily movements are governed by the Air element.

Where there is movement, there exists friction. Through friction we obtain heat and the manifestation of the next element: Fire, or Agni.

In addition to sound and touch, we can perceive Fire through vision or form. Fire creates a crackling sound, its touch is hot, and Fire can be seen. When Fire is not directly seen, we can still infer its existence through the presence of smoke. And while a red-hot iron does not create smoke, we can deduce the presence of Fire element from the sizzling sound it makes when it touches water, through the heat it radiates, and its red/orange glow.

Qualitatively, we define Fire as hot, sharp, light, dry, and subtle. Heat is the chief quality of Fire, as heat is responsible for material transformation between states of Solid, Liquid and Gas. Fire’s sharpness is evident when a welding torch cuts through steel. Fire’s lightness is perceivable both through its anti-gravitational quality (Fire always moves up), and how it produces light. Through Fire’s heat comes the evaporation of moisture and dryness. Excess heat becomes cruel, demonstrated by an arid and inhospitable dessert terrain. We perceive its subtlety when one quickly swipes their hand through a flame. Here we observe how Fire manifests as form, yet this form does not yet possess any mass or grossness. Unlike the form of the next two elements, Fire has no density. Fire owes its form merely to the presence of light, which takes shape as an outline distinguished by its contrast to darkness.

Biologically, we store most of our fire and bodily heat in the blood and digestive system. The Fire element creates radiant heat energy which establishes our Basal Metabolic Rate (body temp), one of the hallmarks of our ability to maintain homeostasis. Furthermore, the Fire element in the GI tract breaks down food into basic nutrients. One achieves absorption of said nutrients as sharp guna facilitates penetration into the bloodstream. Both the light in one’s eyes, as well as feeling light and energized come from this element. Even the brightness of intellect and the sharpness of a discerning mind are products of Fire.

Where there is heat, there is condensation. This condensation manifests our fourth element: Water, or Apas.

In addition to perception through the sound of a splash, a cool and liquid touch, and the form of waves and ripples, Water is uniquely responsible for taste perception. It is only through the presence of Water that we can experience flavor, as Water acts as a solvent and allows for close contact of a substance to our taste buds. We need saliva to perceive taste. One can experience this by placing a piece of dehydrated fruit on their dried tongue. Only after mastication and the introduction of saliva will the dried fruit come alive with flavor.

Water is characterized as cool, liquid, dull, soft, oily, and slimy, and possesses the karmas of downward movement, cleansing, cohesiveness, adhesiveness, and percolation. Water is incredibly healing as its cool and dull qualities provide pacification to an irritated area. Water’s softness allows you to run your fingers through it with only minimal resistance, and its oily and slimy quality cause it to spread and create slick and slippery surfaces—imagine the yellow signs that say “Caution, wet floor.” Furthermore, observing a river shows us how water flows downward.

Biologically, Water acts as the solvent for all chemicals and nutrients in the body. Within the blood and plasma, all our necessary chemistry exists in a dissolved state. Most substances are soluble either in water or fat. Both H20 and Lipids are present in our circulatory system. We can infer the presence of Water element in lipids since we hold water in our fat, and that through sweating one is able to cleanse and reduce their adipose tissue. Liquid and slimy gunas allow for slow moving or spreading of materials. Whereas Air can move erratically, Water tends to move in a more organized and predictable flow. Possibly most important, Water’s percolation gives us the ability to transport gasses, namely oxygen and carbon dioxide, to and away from our cells through the blood stream.

As condensation solidifies, the fifth element manifests: Earth, or Prithvi.

Earth element makes the sound of a thud or a clunk. It feels solid, hard and rough to the touch, one can clearly see its form, it possesses the taste of minerals and various flavors, and Earth is also uniquely responsible for our sense of smell. When we smell something, we are actually inhaling little particles of Earth element. One example is when someone passes gas. In the flatulence are microscopic pieces of feces that disseminate through the air. When those particles of feces reach one’s nostrils (apologies for this unpleasant visualization), one can perceive their presence through an odorous smell.

Earth is characterized as heavy, dull, static, dense, hard, gross, and carries forth the karma of gravitational or downward attraction. Earth is the hard ground we walk on, and it keeps us here through its gravitational force. The dull, static, and hard qualities of Earth give us firm boundaries. The dense, gross, and heavy qualities contribute to a sense of grounding and give enough gravitational force to pull one down into sleep and the subconscious.

Biologically, Earth element gives us our static form. Even though at the cellular level everything is constantly in motion, the density and grossness of the physical body creates the appearance of a constant form and boundary. Our hard bones create the structure that supports the rest of our body and allows locomotion. Our arterial and venous walls prevent our blood from escaping the cardiovascular system. Overall, we can account all true boundaries to the Earth element. The fact that we possess organs with distinguishable form, that do not spill or merge into our other distinct tissues and organs is due to the presence of Earth element.

Sarvani Dravyani Pancha Bhautakani: Every substance is made of the 5 elements

While every person possesses all the elements, the proportions and combinations vary from person to person. These variations are what give us our unique characteristics, physical appearance, propensities, and mental patterns. These elements ultimately support life, however when they go out of balance it has the power to disrupt it. For example, excess Earth element in the blood can lead to high cholesterol, excess Water element causes edema, excess Fire element is responsible for inflammation, excess Air causes dryness and constipation, and too much Ether makes one spacey and forgetful.

The Pancha Maha Bhutas give us our basic understanding of the material world. Their omnipresence means that every substance contains all Ether, Air, Fire, Water, and Earth elements. Even a single cell contains all five elements. The cell wall is predominately made of Earth, the cytoplasm predominates in Water, the nucleus in Fire, its communication and motion Air, and the space it occupies represents Ether.

Utilizing this information about elements paves the way for understanding all subsequent Ayurvedic concepts, as every substance, treatment, food, and bodily tissue possess unique combinations and proportions of the elements. These unique proportions give us clues to the qualities and actions every substance instills into the body. This elemental exploration is particularly of value in comprehending the topic of Tridoshic’s next article, which will cover one of Ayurveda’s hallmark theories: the Doshas.

References:

Textbook of Ayurveda, Volume I, Fundamental Principles, Vasant Lad

Class Notes 2014 Vasant Lad

Class Notes 2015 Kashyapa Fischer