Pancha Bhuta or Pancha Maha-Bhuta (Sanskrit: पञ्चभूत, पञ्चमहाभूत; pañca-mahā-bhūta), five great elements, also five physical elements, is a group of five basic elements, which, according to Hinduism, is the basis of all cosmic creation.[1] These elements are: Prithvi/Bhudevi (Sanskrit: पृथ्वी:, Earth), Apas/Varuna/Jala (Sanskrit: आपः, Water), Agni (Sanskrit: अग्नि, Fire), Vayu (Sanskrit: वायु:, Air), Akasha/Dyaus (Sanskrit: आकाश, Space/Atmosphere/Ether).[2] These elements have different characteristics and these also account for different faculties of human experience. In ayurveda and Indian philosophy, the human body is considered to be made of these five elements.[3] However, Cārvāka did not accept Akasha as basic element as it is not tangible and according to them, there are only four basic elements.[4] Hinduism influenced Buddhism, which accepts only four Mahābhūtas, viewing Akasha as a derived (upādā) element. These five elements of Indian cosmological system are similar but not identical to five element theory used in East Asia.[5]
The Pancha Bhuta are the basic elements that make up any living organism on Earth or anywhere else in the Universe. Below table gives a reference on what component of the human body is associated with these elements. Each of the five finger in human beings is also associated with a particular element, so this means the energy associated with the appropriate element can be channelized through various hand mudras.[4]
According to ayurveda and Yoga, Pancha Bhuta are associated with overall health of human being. Any disorder in human body indicates imbalance of one or more of these elements. Yoga Tattva Mudra Vijnana relates these five elements to five fingers of human being. Different Mudra were developed to balance these[7] in human body which form the Hasta Mudra in yogic tradition and are used in naturopathy.
The three dosha- three intrinsic tendencies, which, according to ayurveda are intrinsic in every human being, are representation of combination of these five elements in human body. The three dosha have subtle positive essences which control the mind and body function.[8]
Dosha
Bhuta Composition
Characteristic
Vata
Vayu, Akasha
Prana
Pitta
Agni, Jala/Apas
Tejas
Kapha
Prithvi, Jala/Apas
Ojas
Yogic view
According to Yoga, the aim of sadhana is to have mastery over oneself. This mastery can be achieved by mastering all the basic elements. The process of gaining mastery over these elements and purifying them is called Bhuta Shuddhi.
Pancha Bhuta Stalam is representation of Pancha Bhuta for yogic practice. People used to move from one temple to another and do sadhana on particular basic element.[9]
The seven Chakras in the human subtle body are associated with these five elements.[8]
Hasta Mudra or hand posture is based on the panch Bhutas. The basic assumption is that all the five elements can be represented by five different fingers in human body as shown in the table below.[10]
Vastu shastra emphasizes on the placement of five elements in specified direction and the balance of these elements determines the condition of the associated structure.[8]
Bhuta
Associated Direction
Characteristics
Akasha/Dyaus
East
Expansion, enhancement
Vayu/Pavan
West
Movements, joy, happiness
Agni
South
Power, confidence, fame
Jala/Apas/Varuna
North
Spirituality, ideas, thoughts, healing
Prithvi/Bhumi
Center, Diagonal
Stability, peace and harmony
These correlations are used to define an ideal home: The house itself is placed so that maximum load and weight is in the southwest area of the plot. Thus, there is maximum open space in the north and east sides of the plot, satisfying Vayu/air and Akasha/aether. The main gate, the verandah and the main door are in the northeast of the house; south of the verandah the main living room, and south of that one or two bedrooms. The kitchen is placed in the southeast corner of the house, to balance Akasha and Agni.
Taste
Pancha Bhuta is associated with six human tastes/Rasas as below.[8]
^Gopal, Madan (1990). K.S. Gautam (ed.). India through the ages. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 79.
^www.wisdomlib.org (2019-01-28). "Story of Pañcabhūta". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
^Venkatesan, Satish (2013-03-01). Ayurvedic remedies: An introduction. ISBN978-9881224149. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
^ abPrasad Sinha, Harendra (2006). Bharatiya Darshan Ki Rooprekha. Motilal Banarsidass Publisher. p. 86. ISBN9788120821446. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
^Carroll, Cain (2012). Mudras of India. p. 18. ISBN978-1848191099. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
^Motilal Bansaridas Publishers Bhagavata Purana Book 1 Skandha III Page 374-375
^ abcd"PANCHA BHOOTAS OR THE FIVE ELEMENTS". indianscriptures.com/. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
^"pancha-bhutas-the-possibility-of-the-five-elements". ishafoundation.org. 2012-01-23. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
^Sharma, Shiv (2003). Brilliance of Hinduism. p. 93. ISBN978-8128800825. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
January 27, 2023
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Pancha Bhuta or Pancha Maha Bhuta Sanskrit पञ चभ त पञ चमह भ त panca maha bhuta five great elements also five physical elements is a group of five basic elements which according to Hinduism is the basis of all cosmic creation 1 These elements are Prithvi Bhudevi Sanskrit प थ व Earth Apas Varuna Jala Sanskrit आप Water Agni Sanskrit अग न Fire Vayu Sanskrit व य Air Akasha Dyaus Sanskrit आक श Space Atmosphere Ether 2 These elements have different characteristics and these also account for different faculties of human experience In ayurveda and Indian philosophy the human body is considered to be made of these five elements 3 However Carvaka did not accept Akasha as basic element as it is not tangible and according to them there are only four basic elements 4 Hinduism influenced Buddhism which accepts only four Mahabhutas viewing Akasha as a derived upada element These five elements of Indian cosmological system are similar but not identical to five element theory used in East Asia 5 Contents 1 Description 2 Ayurveda 3 Yogic view 4 Hasta Mudras 5 Vastu 6 Taste 7 See also 8 ReferencesDescription EditFurther information The 36 tattvas The Pancha Bhuta are the basic elements that make up any living organism on Earth or anywhere else in the Universe Below table gives a reference on what component of the human body is associated with these elements Each of the five finger in human beings is also associated with a particular element so this means the energy associated with the appropriate element can be channelized through various hand mudras 4 Bhuta Element Human Body Component Associated Finger Associated consort Characteristic principle 6 Sense OrgansAkasha Dyaus Space Astral body Middle Finger Bhumi Prithvi Sound EarsVayu Air Air Index Finger Lehari Touch Skin tvac Agni Fire Body Heat Thumb Swaha Form colour Rupa EyesJala Varuna Water Water incl blood Little Finger Varuni Taste rasa TongueBhumi Prithvi Earth Flesh bones amp organs Ring Finger Dyaus Akasha or Varaha Vishnu Smell NoseAyurveda EditMain article Dosha According to ayurveda and Yoga Pancha Bhuta are associated with overall health of human being Any disorder in human body indicates imbalance of one or more of these elements Yoga Tattva Mudra Vijnana relates these five elements to five fingers of human being Different Mudra were developed to balance these 7 in human body which form the Hasta Mudra in yogic tradition and are used in naturopathy The three dosha three intrinsic tendencies which according to ayurveda are intrinsic in every human being are representation of combination of these five elements in human body The three dosha have subtle positive essences which control the mind and body function 8 Dosha Bhuta Composition CharacteristicVata Vayu Akasha PranaPitta Agni Jala Apas TejasKapha Prithvi Jala Apas OjasYogic view EditAccording to Yoga the aim of sadhana is to have mastery over oneself This mastery can be achieved by mastering all the basic elements The process of gaining mastery over these elements and purifying them is called Bhuta Shuddhi Pancha Bhuta Stalam is representation of Pancha Bhuta for yogic practice People used to move from one temple to another and do sadhana on particular basic element 9 The seven Chakras in the human subtle body are associated with these five elements 8 Chakra Bhuta CharacteristicMuladhara Chakra Prithvi Stability SupportSwadhishthan Chakra Jala Joy Well beingManipura Chakra Agni Wisdom PowerAnahata Chakra Vayu CompassionVishuddha Chakra Akasha Trust CreativityAjna Chakra Akasha Knowledge Intuition DignitySahasrara Chakra Akasha OnenessHasta Mudras EditFurther information List of mudras yoga Hasta Mudra or hand posture is based on the panch Bhutas The basic assumption is that all the five elements can be represented by five different fingers in human body as shown in the table below 10 Finger Name BhutaKanishthika Little Finger Jala ApasAnamika Ring Finger PrithviMadhyama Middle Finger AkashaTarjani Index Finger VayuAngustha Thumb AgniVastu EditFurther information Vastu shastra Vastu shastra emphasizes on the placement of five elements in specified direction and the balance of these elements determines the condition of the associated structure 8 Bhuta Associated Direction CharacteristicsAkasha Dyaus East Expansion enhancementVayu Pavan West Movements joy happinessAgni South Power confidence fameJala Apas Varuna North Spirituality ideas thoughts healingPrithvi Bhumi Center Diagonal Stability peace and harmonyThese correlations are used to define an ideal home The house itself is placed so that maximum load and weight is in the southwest area of the plot Thus there is maximum open space in the north and east sides of the plot satisfying Vayu air and Akasha aether The main gate the verandah and the main door are in the northeast of the house south of the verandah the main living room and south of that one or two bedrooms The kitchen is placed in the southeast corner of the house to balance Akasha and Agni Taste EditPancha Bhuta is associated with six human tastes Rasas as below 8 Taste Rasa Associated BhutaMadhura Sweet Jala Prithvi Earth and Water Amla Sour Prithvi Agni Earth and Fire Lavana Salty Jala Agni Water and Fire Katu Pungent Vayu Agni Air and Fire Tikta Bitter Akasha Vayu Aether and Air Kashaya Astringent Vayu Prithvi Air and Earth See also EditPancha Bhuta Stalam Classical element Mahabhuta Tanmatras MudraReferences Edit Gopal Madan 1990 K S Gautam ed India through the ages Publication Division Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Government of India p 79 www wisdomlib org 2019 01 28 Story of Pancabhuta www wisdomlib org Retrieved 2022 09 18 Venkatesan Satish 2013 03 01 Ayurvedic remedies An introduction ISBN 978 9881224149 Retrieved 18 March 2015 a b Prasad Sinha Harendra 2006 Bharatiya Darshan Ki Rooprekha Motilal Banarsidass Publisher p 86 ISBN 9788120821446 Retrieved 18 March 2015 Carroll Cain 2012 Mudras of India p 18 ISBN 978 1848191099 Retrieved 18 March 2015 Motilal Bansaridas Publishers Bhagavata Purana Book 1 Skandha III Page 374 375 Five Elements a b c d PANCHA BHOOTAS OR THE FIVE ELEMENTS indianscriptures com Retrieved 25 March 2015 pancha bhutas the possibility of the five elements ishafoundation org 2012 01 23 Retrieved 18 March 2015 Sharma Shiv 2003 Brilliance of Hinduism p 93 ISBN 978 8128800825 Retrieved 3 April 2015 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Pancha Bhoota amp oldid 1111741652, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
