Ayurveda > Ayurvedic Panchmahabhoota (Thought)
By Dr. Satish Kulkarni

Ayurveda is the ancient science of health developed through the age-old research of the rishies (sages). It is the tradition of health care developed and followed by Indians through the centuries and it thrives even in the present times.

Ayurveda uses a system of analysis and physical examination done almost entirely by macroscopic observation (with the exception of pulse examination) to ascertain one’s ‘Prakruti’ (nature) and current imbalances. A diet and health suggestions are given to the individual according to the needs of his/her constitution and present imbalance. The basis for all this is ‘Panchmaha bhootas’ (Five basic elements). (panch = five, maha = supreme and bhootas = powers). We can say these five elements are foundation of our life.

Panchmahabhoota Thought:
Ayurveda believes in panchmahabhoota philosophy. According to this philosophy, every living object, in the plant as well as in the animal kingdom (including human beings), is made up of a living material which has five basic constituents. Every living object is thus a unique creation manifested through these five basic elements— Earth (pruthvi), Water (aap), Divine Fire (tej), Air (vayu) and Universal Space (aakash). These five basic elements are called the panchmahabhootas These panchmahabhootas ultimately create treedoshas (tree = three, doshas = basic components or organizations) which constitute our body. Each human being is either of vaat prakruti (prakruti dominated by vaat dosh) or of pitta prakruti (prakruti dominated by pitta dosh) or of kafa prakruti (prakruti dominated by kafa dosh). It is said that vaat dosh is created by aakash (Universal Space) and vayu (air), pitta dosh is created by tej (Divine Fire) and kafa dosh is created by aap (Water) and pruthvi (Earth).

Our constitution is determined by these three doshas at the time of garbhdharana (fertilization). When the embryo is formed, the constitution is determined for life; the percentage of these three doshas is determined at this time and this remains unchanged throughout life. Thus, this is the time when the dominance of a particular dosha and the recessive nature of the other two doshas on the constitution of one’s body is permanently determined.

Every individual is a balanced mixture of vaat, pitta and kafa. This ideal balance gives a healthy status to the individual. When this is imbalanced, it initiates disease. Our attitude and our behavior help in maintaining health or conversely, bring on a calamity of diseases. If we have proper food intake, regular exercise and timely medication (which changes according to the dominant dosh) we will have no health problems.

To summarize, the human body is a perfect blend of three organizations (treedoshas)— vaat, pitta and kafa, which evolve through panchmahabhootas. These come together in the mother’s womb when life starts and get separated and go back to their own places in nature when life ends. We can say that this is the Ayurvedic explanation of the origin of life and death.

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