Agni in Ayurveda : Part 2 : Panchmahabhuta

In last part, we tried to understand word Pitta’s meanings and relation with Agni. In this, we will begin by understanding Agni in terms of Panchamahabhuta.

The world is formed by five basic elemental states called पञ्चमहाभूत. They are Prithvi, Apa, Teja, Vayu and Akash.

What is Panchamahabhuta? (पञ्चमहाभूत)

***पञ्चमहाभूत क्या होते हैं ?
जिनसे समग्र भौतिक पदार्थों का निर्माण हुआ है, उनको पञ्चमहाभूत कहा जाता है ।

पञ्चमहाभूत कौन कौन से हैं ?

(१) पृथिवी
(२) अग्नि
(३) जल
(४) वायु
(५) आकाश

सर्वं द्रव्यं पाञ्चभौतिकम् | Every substance contains all five states. Mark the difference here. Unlike modern science, we are not yet identifying elements as in chemistry. These are 5 different states. All substances gets its properties, characteristics or design from the permutations and combinations of these five basic states and their contribution in present state of the substance.

Material world as we see, and are being part of it, is evolved out of the mula Prakriti. All matter of the world have three basic properties i.e. Sattva, rajas, tamas. Transformation of the universe is not possible without these three properties. These properties are confined in mula prakriti in the state of balance in an unmanifest form. The शून्य स्थिति. When the equilibrium is lost, manifested world emerges.

In this process of becoming manifest, mula prakriti creates Mahat or Buddhi. Then emerges Ego. This is followed by creation of Manas and set of Indriya (mind and senses).

As per Sankhya philosophy, senses are formed from the Sattva part of ego, with the help of Rajas. The तन्मात्रा(s) are formed from Tamas, with the help of rajas.

And from these तन्मात्रा(s), panch-mahabhuta(s) emerges.

Before we understand Panch-mahabhita, it is good to understand our core nature, मूल प्रकृति or our base class.

Here is the first part of N-part series.

शरीर, as per Sanskrit roots, is that which continuously undergoes destruction, catabolic nature. Degeneration, decay, to be rendered to pieces are natural phenomenon for शरीर.

देह , as per Sanskrit roots, that which continuously grow, anabolic nature. To develop and grow into larger identity is natural phenomenon for देह.

काया = शरीर + देह = Anabolic + Catabolic = Construction + Destruction

Ayurveda works on three level of Sharir

1) स्थूल (Gross Body) २) शुक्ष्म (Subtle body) ३) कारण (Casual body)

Gross body is made up of 5 basic elements i.e. पंचमहाभूत
Subtle body is made up of 5 तन्मात्रा (English translation – Sorry I don’t have)
Casual body signifies त्रिगुण (sattva, rajas, tamas) impressions.

5 basic elements are

आकाश, वायु, अग्नि, जल, पृथ्वी

Their essence is called तन्मात्रा

तन्मात्रा(s) are subtle and beyond our perceptions. They are unmixed with other kind of material, property or energy.

5 Tanmatras are : Sound, Touch, Form, Taste and smell.

शब्द,स्पर्श,रूप,रस,गंध

As long as Agni is concerned, it is Rupa or Form that predominates. And so Agni state represents body complexion, sharpness, digestion and penetration. It is responsible for Vision (not just physical vision but all sorts of visions). Special attributes are Temperature and Conversion.

As per Charak, Shushrut and Vagbhatta, Agni elemental state dominates Pitta.

In terms of Dosha, fire represents Pitta, with the help of Apa(water).

In terms of Guna, fire represents Rajas, with the help of Vayu.

What are the characteristics?

रूक्ष-तीक्ष्ण-उष्ण-विशद-सूक्ष्म-रूप-गुण-उल्बणम् | आग्नेयं दाह-भा-वर्ण-प्रकाश-पचनात्मकम्||

अल्प स्निग्ध, तीक्ष्ण, उष्ण, लघु, सूक्ष्म

विशुद्ध पित्त कड़वा व पीले वर्ण का होता है।

विकृत पित्त खट्टा व नीले वर्ण का होता है।

Since Pitta has Agni predominated but also contains Apa, it is in liquid state.

So it is important for Pitta dravya to represent Fire element. Whenever fire element is reduced in dravya, it is mere Apa or water. And when it is water, it won’t work as expected.

Sense to the level of Tanmatra when you try to realize pitta in your body.