Pancha Mahabhuta

Each and everything in this Universe, be it living or non-living, minute or huge, is believed to be formed from Five Basic Elements. These elements are referred as Pancha Mahabhuta which are- Akasha, Vayu, Agni, Jala, Prithvi. 

Here 'pancha' means five, 'maha' is great and 'bhuta' refers to anything that can exist. 

Each of these Mahabhutas have their own characteristics and features. 

Let's look at these individually.

1) Akasha 

It refers to 'sky' or 'ether' . It usually refers to empty spaces and hollow cavities in body. 

It possesses properties like :

• Soft (Mrudu)

• Light (Laghu)

• Minute (Sukshma)

• Smooth (Shlakshana)

It is also responsible for perception of shabda i.e. sound.

2) Vayu

It means 'air' or 'wind'. Vayu in our body initiates movements. 

It has properties like:

• Light (Laghu) 

• Dry (Ruksha)

• Rough (Khara)

• Clear (Vishada)

• Minute (Sukshma).

Touch or sparsh is perceived with the help of Vayu mahabhuta.

3) Agni

Its literal meaning is 'fire' and, hence it refers to heat and energy in our body. 

Its properties are:

• Hot (Ushna)

• Sharp (Teekshna)

• Minute ( Sukshma)

• Light (Laghu)

• Dry (Ruksha)

Vision or darshan is possible due to Agni mahabhuta.

4) Jala 

Jala means 'water'. Therefore it is related to water content of our body. 

It relates to properties like:

• Fluid (Liquid)

• Unctuous (Snigdha)

• Cold (Sheeta)

• Slow (Manda)

• Soft (Mrudu)

• Slimy (Pichchhila)

Perception of rasa i.e.taste is possible due to Jala mahabhuta.

5) Prithvi

Prithvi refers to 'Earth'. It basically relates to all the solid structure in our body. 

It inhabits properties like:

• Heavy (Guru)

• Rough (Ruksha)

• Hard (Kathina)

• Slow (Manda)

• Stable (Sthira)

• Clear (Vishada)

• Dense ( Sandra) 

• Gross ( Sthula)

Sensation of smell is due to Prithvi mahabhuta.

I think that's a lot to sink in. I would let you all take in this information and would be continuing about this topic in my next post, how these Pancha Mahabhuta fit inside an atom.

Thanks for giving your time . 

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