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The word panchamahabhuta is made up of three words: ‘pancha’, ‘maha’ and ‘bhuta’. ‘Pancha’ means five, ‘maha’ means great and ‘bhuta’ means that which exists. All the living and non-living objects in the universe are made up of panchamahabhuta.([[Sutra Sthana]] 26/10).Therefore, panchamahabhuta are the five fundamental elements responsible for creation of the universe, including humans. Each individual has a unique panchbhautik constitution. This constitution remains in state of equilibrium in health and any imbalance results in disease. It is crucial for healthcare provider to identify panchbhautik imbalance and should have the capability to restore equilibrium.

 

The word panchamahabhuta is made up of three words: ‘pancha’, ‘maha’ and ‘bhuta’. ‘Pancha’ means five, ‘maha’ means great and ‘bhuta’ means that which exists. All the living and non-living objects in the universe are made up of panchamahabhuta.([[Sutra Sthana]] 26/10).Therefore, panchamahabhuta are the five fundamental elements responsible for creation of the universe, including humans. Each individual has a unique panchabhautik constitution. This constitution remains in state of equilibrium in health and any imbalance results in disease. It is crucial for healthcare provider to identify panchabhautik imbalance and should have the capability to restore equilibrium.

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In the process of digestion and metabolism, the food passes through three levels of action of agni. At first it is acted upon by jatharagni for gross digestion. Then it is acted upon by bhutagni. At this level the agni component of each mahabhuta carries out selective digestion process of their respective component of food. The parthiva agni digests and metabolizes the [[prithvi]] component of ingested food. Further the body constituents are formed by selective process of dhatvagni. ([[Chikitsa Sthana]] 15/12-14)

In the process of digestion and metabolism, the food passes through three levels of action of agni. At first it is acted upon by jatharagni for gross digestion. Then it is acted upon by bhutagni. At this level the agni component of each mahabhuta carries out selective digestion process of their respective component of food. The parthiva agni digests and metabolizes the [[prithvi]] component of ingested food. Further the body constituents are formed by selective process of dhatvagni. ([[Chikitsa Sthana]] 15/12-14)

Body is formed of panchamahabhuta and so is food. When food is ingested, the relevant mahabhuta and body component is increased.<ref>Vaidya YadavjiTrikamji Acharya, Narayan Ram Aacaarya, editors. Sus’rutasam’hita of Sus’ruta with the Nibandhasan,grahaCommentry. Varanasi: ChowkhambaKrishnadas Academy, 2008. Sutra Sthana 46/526; p.253.</ref>

Body is formed of panchamahabhuta and so is food. When food is ingested, the relevant mahabhuta and body component is increased.<ref>Vaidya YadavjiTrikamji Acharya, Narayan Ram Aacaarya, editors. Sus’rutasam’hita of Sus’ruta with the Nibandhasan,grahaCommentry. Varanasi: ChowkhambaKrishnadas Academy, 2008. Sutra Sthana 46/526; p.253.</ref>

===Fundamental composition of dosha===

===Fundamental composition of dosha===

Doshas are constituted by specific mahabhuta<ref>Shivprasad Sharma, editor. Astaangasamgraha by vridhavaagbata with SasilekhaCommentry. 3rd edition. Varanasi: Chowkhamba Sanskrit series office, 2012. Sootrastaana 20/02; p..</ref> as below:  

Doshas are constituted by specific mahabhuta<ref>Shivprasad Sharma, editor. Astaangasamgraha by vridhavaagbata with SasilekhaCommentry. 3rd edition. Varanasi: Chowkhamba Sanskrit series office, 2012. Sootrastaana 20/02; p..</ref> as below:  

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Based on this composition, mahabhuta play vital role in determining prakriti (basic constitution) of human being. ([[Vimana Sthana]].08/95) This principle is applied in therapeutics. In case of decrease in vatadosha in body, the regimen which increases [[vayu]] and [[akasha]] mahahuta is prescribed. Accordingly the regimens which increase corresponding doshas are prescribed.  

Based on this composition, mahabhuta play vital role in determining prakriti (basic constitution) of human being. ([[Vimana Sthana]].08/95) This principle is applied in therapeutics. In case of decrease in vatadosha in body, the regimen which increases [[vayu]] and [[akasha]] mahahuta is prescribed. Accordingly the regimens which increase corresponding doshas are prescribed.  

===Classification of marma (vital points) based on panchamahabhuta predominance===

===Classification of marma (vital points) based on panchamahabhuta predominance===

The marma or vital points/organs in body are classified in five categories on the basis of their harmful effect on body. The harmful effect depends upon their fundamental composition of mahabhuta<ref>Vaidya YadavjiTrikamji Acharya, Narayan Ram Aacaarya, editors. Sus’rutasam’hita of Sus’ruta with the Nibandhasan,grahaCommentry. Varanasi: ChowkhambaKrishnadas Academy, 2008. sharirasthana06/16; p.371.</ref> as below.

The marma or vital points/organs in body are classified in five categories on the basis of their harmful effect on body. The harmful effect depends upon their fundamental composition of mahabhuta<ref>Vaidya YadavjiTrikamji Acharya, Narayan Ram Aacaarya, editors. Sus’rutasam’hita of Sus’ruta with the Nibandhasan,grahaCommentry. Varanasi: ChowkhambaKrishnadas Academy, 2008. sharirasthana06/16; p.371.</ref> as below.

Apart from the therapeutic uses mentioned above, the medicines having dominance of specific mahabhuta are administered in therapeutic procedures. This corresponds to relevant properties and effect of mahabhuta.<ref>Vaidya YadavjiTrikamji Acharya, Narayan Ram Aacaarya, editors. Sus’rutasam’hita of Sus’ruta with the Nibandhasan,grahaCommentry. Varanasi: ChowkhambaKrishnadas Academy, 2008. sutrasthana 41/6-9; p.182-83.</ref>

Apart from the therapeutic uses mentioned above, the medicines having dominance of specific mahabhuta are administered in therapeutic procedures. This corresponds to relevant properties and effect of mahabhuta.<ref>Vaidya YadavjiTrikamji Acharya, Narayan Ram Aacaarya, editors. Sus’rutasam’hita of Sus’ruta with the Nibandhasan,grahaCommentry. Varanasi: ChowkhambaKrishnadas Academy, 2008. sutrasthana 41/6-9; p.182-83.</ref>

===In shodhana chikitsa(purification therapy)===

===In shodhana chikitsa(purification therapy)===

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The abnormalities in physiological functions are observed to assess proportion of mahabhuta.  

The abnormalities in physiological functions are observed to assess proportion of mahabhuta.  

Panchamahabhuta theory is applied in the management of diseases. The panchabhautik constitution of basic causative factors and pathogenesis of disease is observed. Then the medicines having opposite panchabhautik constitutions are administered to restore equilibrium in the body.  

Panchamahabhuta theory is applied in the management of diseases. The panchabhautik constitution of basic causative factors and pathogenesis of disease is observed. Then the medicines having opposite panchabhautik constitutions are administered to restore equilibrium in the body.  

For example, in Jwara, Ama (undigested food) leads to vitiation of rasa dhatu (nutrient fluids). The digestion and metabolism are slowed down. Thus, [[prithvi]] and [[jala]] mahabhuta are increased and cause the disease state. The treatment of jwara includes langhana, swedana, pachana and medicines with tikta (bitter taste). The treatment has [[agni]], [[vayu]] and [[akasha]] dominancy. The herbs like musta (cyperus rotundus), shunthi (Zingiber officinale) having dominancy of the same mahabhuta are administered in the management. This can be applied in various other diseases too.<ref>Bhardwaj Vikas, Sharma Pankaj, and C. Sahana.  Panchamahabhuta Siddhanta and Chikitsa-A Bird’s Eye View. Ejbps, 2016; 3(11), 154-159.</ref> Thus panchamahabhuta theory is important in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

For example, in Jwara, Ama (undigested food) leads to vitiation of rasa dhatu (nutrient fluids). The digestion and metabolism are slowed down. Thus, [[prithvi]] and [[jala]] mahabhuta are increased and cause the disease state. The treatment of jwara includes langhana, swedana, pachana and medicines with tikta (bitter taste). The treatment has [[agni]], [[vayu]] and [[akasha]] dominancy. The herbs like musta (cyperus rotundus), shunthi (Zingiber officinale) having dominancy of the same mahabhuta are administered in the management. This can be applied in various other diseases too.<ref>Bhardwaj Vikas, Sharma Pankaj, and C. Sahana.  Panchamahabhuta Siddhanta and Chikitsa-A Bird’s Eye View. Ejbps, 2016; 3(11), 154-159.</ref> Thus panchamahabhuta theory is important in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

*[[Katidhapurusha Sharira]]     

*[[Katidhapurusha Sharira]]     

*[[Indriyopakramaniya Adhyaya]]

*[[Indriyopakramaniya Adhyaya]]

 

[[Category:Pancha mahabhuta]] [[Akasha]] [[Vayu]] [[Agni]] [[Jala]] [[Prithvi]]  

=== List of references ===

=== List of references ===

The list of references for Panchamahabhuta in Charak Samhita can be seen here [[Media:References_for_panchamahabhuta.pdf|References_for_panchamahabhuta.pdf]]

The list of references for Panchamahabhuta in Charak Samhita can be seen here [[Media:References_for_panchamahabhuta.pdf|References_for_panchamahabhuta.pdf]]

==References==

==References==