Changes

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.

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.[Cha.Sa.[[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.

{{Infobox

{{Infobox

==Five fundamental elements ==

==Five fundamental elements ==

The five fundamental elements are ([[Sharira Sthana]] 1/27)

The five fundamental elements are [Cha.Sa.[[Sharira Sthana]] 1/27]

#[[Akasha mahabhuta]]  

#[[Akasha mahabhuta]]  

===Relation with human being===

===Relation with human being===

The [[purusha]] holistic human being is formed by unification of panchamahabhuta and chetana (consciousness). ([[Sharira Sthana]] 01/16)

The [[purusha]] holistic human being is formed by unification of panchamahabhuta and chetana (consciousness). [Cha.Sa.[[Sharira Sthana]] 1/16]

===Properties of panchamahabhuta===

===Properties of panchamahabhuta===

Each mahabhuta has dominant inherent functions related to the sense organs. The mahabhuta can perceive enhanced other senses due to addition of subtle elements of other mahabhuta as given below.  ([[Sharira Sthana]] 01/26-28)

Each mahabhuta has dominant inherent functions related to the sense organs. The mahabhuta can perceive enhanced other senses due to addition of subtle elements of other mahabhuta as given below.  [Cha.Sa.[[Sharira Sthana]] 1/26-28]

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

|-

|-

|}

|}

The mahabhuta provide abode for corresponding sense organs to perform their sensory functions.([[Sutra Sthana]].08/14). These sense organs are tools to know panchabhautik matter in the universe. <ref>Gokhale B.V. Ayrvedache Shastra Ayurveda Bhaskar.Marathi book.Mama Gokhale Janma mahotsava samilti. 2003. Pg.128-9.</ref>

The mahabhuta provide abode for corresponding sense organs to perform their sensory functions.[Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]].8/14]. These sense organs are tools to know panchabhautik matter in the universe. <ref>Gokhale B.V. Ayrvedache Shastra Ayurveda Bhaskar.Marathi book.Mama Gokhale Janma mahotsava samilti. 2003. Pg.128-9.</ref>

===Characteristics of panchamahabhuta===

===Characteristics of panchamahabhuta===

Mahabhuta play basic functions during embryogenesis. After formation of garbha(foetus),  vayu performs function of vibhajana (cell division/multiplication); agni carries function of pachana(metabolism); jala carries function of kledana(moisture or fluid);prithvi carries function of samhanana(compactness or formation of mass); and akasha carries function of vivardhana(enlargement of size). If these functions are carried out in normal proportion, the normal structure of shareera (body) is formed.<ref>Vaidya Yadavji Trikamji Acharya, Narayan Ram Aacaarya, editors. Sus’ruta sam’hita of Sus’ruta with the Nibandhasan,graha Commentry. Varanasi: Chowkhamba Krishnadas Academy, 2008. sharirasthana 05/03; p.363.</ref>

Mahabhuta play basic functions during embryogenesis. After formation of garbha(foetus),  vayu performs function of vibhajana (cell division/multiplication); agni carries function of pachana(metabolism); jala carries function of kledana(moisture or fluid);prithvi carries function of samhanana(compactness or formation of mass); and akasha carries function of vivardhana(enlargement of size). If these functions are carried out in normal proportion, the normal structure of shareera (body) is formed.<ref>Vaidya Yadavji Trikamji Acharya, Narayan Ram Aacaarya, editors. Sus’ruta sam’hita of Sus’ruta with the Nibandhasan,graha Commentry. Varanasi: Chowkhamba Krishnadas Academy, 2008. sharirasthana 05/03; p.363.</ref>

In the third month of pregnancy, following body constituents are formed and relative functions begin from mahabhuta.([[Sharira Sthana]].04/12)

In the third month of pregnancy, following body constituents are formed and relative functions begin from mahabhuta.[Cha.Sa.[[Sharira Sthana]].04/12]

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

===Role of bhutagni in digestion and metabolism===

===Role of bhutagni in digestion and metabolism===

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. [Cha.Sa.[[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>

|}

|}

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. [Cha.Sa.[[Vimana Sthana]].8/95] 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===

===Rasa (taste) and its panchamahabhuta predominance===

===Rasa (taste) and its panchamahabhuta predominance===

Panchamahabhuta composition determine specific taste of a substance.  Accordingly the rasa or tastes perform relevant biological activities and effects.<ref>Vaidya Yadavji Trikamji Acharya, Narayan Ram Aacharya, editors. Sushruta smhita of Sushruta with the Nibandhasan,graha Commentry. Varanasi: Chowkhamba Krishnadas Academy, 2008. sutra sthana 42/03; p.183.</ref> ([[Sutra Sthana]] 26/40)   These are applied for therapeutic purpose.  

Panchamahabhuta composition determine specific taste of a substance.  Accordingly the rasa or tastes perform relevant biological activities and effects.<ref>Vaidya Yadavji Trikamji Acharya, Narayan Ram Aacharya, editors. Sushruta smhita of Sushruta with the Nibandhasan,graha Commentry. Varanasi: Chowkhamba Krishnadas Academy, 2008. sutra sthana 42/03; p.183.</ref> [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 26/40]   These are applied for therapeutic purpose.  

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

|-

|-