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ISSN: 2456-3110 REVIEW ARTICLE Sep-Oct 2018

Panchamahabhuta - Aadharbhut Siddhant and their application in Chikitsa Dr. Kusum Malik,1 Dr. Brijesh Mishra2 1Post Graduate Scholar, 2Professor & HOD, Department of Post Garduate Basic Principles of Ayurved and , Shri Ayurved Mahavidyalya (Govt of Maharashtra Grant in Aid), Nagpur, Maharashtra, INDIA.

A B S T R A C T

For true exploration and validation of in all its aspects, scientific inputs should confirm to

Ayurveda’s basic principles and . Till date so many studies have been done for elaboration of fundamental principles like Tridosha, Dhatu, Strotas, , Oja, Ama etc. No any rewarding work has been done on Panchamahabhuta and it is a still stalemate for us. In this perception,

present attempt is enlightened on its basic concept and clinical application and its importance in

Ayurveda. Ayurveda depends on the concept of Panchamahabhutas i.e. Aakaash, , Agni, ,

Jala.[1] The Panchmahabhut revolves around the normal functioning of the body (physiological),

occurrence of disease (pathological) and action of drug in various part of the body (pharmacokinetics).[2] According to Ayurveda this holistic approach comprises five elements of nature.

The food, the planets and every living and non-living things are made up of these five elements. Tridoshas (Vata, Pita, Kapha) also comprises Panchmahabhuta. On the basis of thorough knowledge

and understanding of Panchmahabhuta Siddhanta one can take an account of the causative factor of

imbalance of and thereby discover the solution for the treatment.

Key words: Panchamahabhuta, Aadharbhut Siddhant, Tridoshas, Chikitsa.

INTRODUCTION of the universe. The only thing which differentiates Panchmahabhutas are basic principle of Ayurveda living and non-living things is . Human body is also which bases the analysis and treatment based upon composed of Panchmahabhutas and food we eat is the principle of Panchmahabhuta .The concept of also Panchabhautic. When food undergoes digestion Panchmahabhuta is defined vividly and scientifically in with the help of Jatharagni, Parthiv (Prithvi Ayurvedic compendia. As we know everything in this Mahabhuta) properties of food nurses the Parthiv universe is made up of Panchmahabhuta. There is a part of body. In this manner symmetrical properties of fundamental harmony at the macrocosm level and Panchmahabhutas give nutrition to corresponding microcosm level and our body is a very minute image symmetrical part of body (corresponding Mahabhuta).[3] The variation in these Address for correspondence: Panchmahabhutas will cause the symptoms of Dr. Kusum Malik Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Post Garduate Basic different type of diseases. Sometimes the symptoms Principles of Ayurved and Samhita, Shri Ayurved Mahavidyalya are mild and suddenly they appear in severe form (Govt of Maharashtra Grant In Aid), Nagpur, Maharashtra, India. E-mail: [email protected] which is difficult to cure before adopting the

Submission Date: 18/09/2018 Accepted Date: 21/10/2018 treatment. It is important to know the Karya upto Access this article online i.e. Nidana till the . Chikitsa is to be Quick Response Code given from its root and also Karana Vishesha, Prakriti Website: www.jaims.in is to be considered. After studying Moulika Siddhanta of Ayurveda and continues practice in the field of it, an establishment in particular Roga Pariksha and DOI: 10.21760/jaims.v3i5.13833 Chikitsa was came in existence called Panchmahabhautic Chikitsa. Panchmahabhautic

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences | Sep - Oct 2018 | Vol. 3 | Issue 5 146

Dr. Kusum Malik et.al. Panchamahabhuta - Aadharbhut Siddhant and their application in Chikitsa

ISSN: 2456-3110 REVIEW ARTICLE Sep-Oct 2018

Chikitsa is a treatment modality pioneered by Vayumahabhuta evolved from Aakashamahabhuta. Brihattrayiratna Vaidyaraj Datarshastri. In this concept Touch (Sparsha) is its chief sense attribute and as it is of using Panchmahabhuta as basic principle for evolved from Aakasha it also inherits attribute of diagnosis and treatment of any disease were used in sound (). Chalatva or movability is its chief which Bala of any one Mahabhuta can create disease. property. Here “Yat Pinde Tat Bramhande” law is applied Agnimahabhuta evolves next from Vayumahabhuta. practically e.g. increase in on causes flood The main sense attribute of Agni is Vision (Roopa) and or draught same in the body causes Madhumeha or the chief property is Agni (Ushnatva). It also inherits any other disease. We generally talk in terms of the sense attributes of sound (Shabda) and touch , Dhatu but here we speak in language of (Sparsha) from the and Vayu Mahabhuta Mahabhut as it is said “Sarvam respectively. Panchmahabhautikam Asmin Jagate”. The next Mahabhuta to evolve from Agnimahabhuta AIM AND OBJECTIVES is Aapamahabhuta (Jalmahabhuta). Taste (Rasa) is its 1. To interpret the basic concept of main sense attribute and liquidity (Dravatava) is the Panchmahabhuta Siddhanta to its full perspective. chief property, along with that inherited from earlier Mahabhuta. 2. To understand this concept and utilize it thoroughly in Chikitsa. The last to evolve is Prithvimahabhuta. Roughness (Kharatva) is the chief property and Smell (Gandha) is MATERIALS AND METHODS the main sense of this Mahabhuta besides properties Mahabhuta is the smallest part of matter, which is inherited from the earlier once. divisible. The various types of Mahabhutas are Akashmahabhuta, Vayumahabhuta, Agnimahabhuta, Akaash Vayu Agni Jala Prithvi Aapamahabhuta and Prithvimahabhuta. [6] Evolution of Panchamahabhuta Theory[3] Properties of Panchmahabhuta

It takes place in 3 levels Panchmahabhuta Tanmatra Indriya Gunas a) First level : Evolution of Panchatanmatra (Subtle Akaash Shabda Karna Aprtighaat elements) b) Second level : Bhutantaranupravesha (Imitative Vayu Sparsh Twak Chaltva pervasion) Agni Roop Chakshu Usantva c) Third level : (Reciprocal pervasion) from (indistinct), a short look up to Prithvi Rasa Jihwa Kharatva evolution of Mahabhutas is as shown below.[4] Jala Gandh Nasa Dravtva

Panchatanm Panchamaha Thorough review of literature on Panchmahabhuta is Avyakta Mahaan Ahankaar atra bhuta found to be beneficial for Chikitsa. Based on the Evolution of Matter Mahabhuta is the smallest Panchmahabhuta concept, people are distinguished divisible part of any matter. Akasha Mahabhuta is the into three categories with unique characteristics. space without which matter cannot exist. Its main These are Kapha, Pitta and Vata. People with Kapha sense attribute is sound (Shabda) and Nonresistance characteristics have Jala and Prithvi as their (Apratighatatva) is its main property.[5] predominant components. The ones with Pitta characteristics have Agni and those with Vata

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences | Sep - Oct 2018 | Vol. 3 | Issue 5 147

Dr. Kusum Malik et.al. Panchamahabhuta - Aadharbhut Siddhant and their application in Chikitsa

ISSN: 2456-3110 REVIEW ARTICLE Sep-Oct 2018

characteristics have Vayu and Aakash as their 5. Prithvi (Earth) - It is solid, dense, stable, heavy, dominating components. And thus, the various hard, dull and slow. It constitutes the solid functioning and structures of the body and the structures in the universe and our body. Any food, existence as well are very well governed by the exercise, herbs which have similar properties will Panchmahabutas.[7] provide nutrition, support and cause heaviness in the body. It will also improve strength and Dosha Mahabhuta stability.

Vata Vayu + Aakash Sthana Vishesha As earlier we have been described that our whole Pitta Agni body is made up of Panchmahabhutas. Beside that in Kapha Jala+ Prithvi our body every Mahabhuta is dominantly residing in a particular area of the body. So we can say that every Characterstics of Panchmahabhutas[7] Mahabhuta have their own Sthaanvishesh in our 1. Aakash (Ether) - Present in hollow cavities within body. That is as follows. body and empty areas of cosmos, transmits ° Prithvi - Adhosakha sound, non-resistant to anything, frictionless or ° Jala - Below Nabhi / Katipradesh smooth, subtle, soft and abundant. Any diet, food or herbs with similar properties will increase ° Teja - Surrounding to Nabhipradesh Aakashmahabhuta within the body. ° Vayu - Above Nabhi up to Jatrupradesh 2. Vayu () - Light, Dry, Subtle, Mobile, ° Aakash - Urdhjatru Pradesh Transparent, and Rough are the properties of Vayu. It is responsible for movement, dryness in DISCUSSION the body. Any diet, exercise, medicine which has The concept of Panchamahabhutas (Five elements) is such properties will increase "Vata" or the foundation of Ayurveda to understand its Vayumahabhuta in the body. physiology (normal functioning), pathology (disease 3. Agni () - It is hot, sharp, intense, dry, and light. formation) and pharmacokinetics (movement of drug It emits light and heat. Any food, diet, exercise, within the body). Ayurveda believes that everything in herbs which has similar properties will increase this universe is made up of Panchamahabhuta. this element in our body. For example - Chillies, Panchamahabhutas are earth (Prithvi), water (Jala), Ginger, Garlic, Peppers, will increase "Pitta" or heat (Agni or Tej), air (Vayu) and space (Aakash) and Agnimahabhuta in the body. collectively they are termed as Panchmahabhutas. These are the minutest elements, which constitute 4. Jala (Water) - Water is moist, cohesive or sticky, living and non-living matters. Everything including cool, soft and oily (unctuous). Water is present in drugs, herbs and living beings are made of these basic many foods, milk and herbs as well as in our body. elements. Every matter contains all of these Excess of water increases the above mentioned Panchamahabhutas. A single cell of a living organism characteristics in our body and decreases the has combination of the five components. The earth or opposite. Water intake is useful in diseases the Prithvimahabhuta forms the major structure of caused by Agni or 'Pitta and Vayu or 'Vata'. For the cell. The Aapamahabhuta or the water forms the example, acidity, skin problems, constipation, cytoplasm of the cell. The various metabolisms of the dryness, excessive breakdown or accumulation of body cells are governed by the Agnimahabhuta. The metabolites / endotoxins. In other words it acts as space inside the cell is governed by the detoxifying agent. Aakashmahabhuta. And finally the channel through

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences | Sep - Oct 2018 | Vol. 3 | Issue 5 148

Dr. Kusum Malik et.al. Panchamahabhuta - Aadharbhut Siddhant and their application in Chikitsa

ISSN: 2456-3110 REVIEW ARTICLE Sep-Oct 2018

which the waste materials and nutrients get Jala Aakaash + Vayu + Agni transported in various parts of the body is given by the Aakashmahabhuta. Thus, these five components 2. Dhatusamyata (Equillibrium state of dhatus): is of Panchmahabhuta form the structure of the living the ultimate aim of our Ayurvedic science. [2] organisms. These are basic blocks of body. According to Acharya Charaka principle of Imbalance of these five elements in the body can Samanyam (similarity) helps in increasing cause different symptoms in accordance with degraded similar Dhatus in body and when there attributes inherent in that or other elements which is Dhatuvriddhi condition we have to use Vishesha are called Gunadwandva (duality of attributes). Sharir (opposite substances) in treatment. To as well as is made up of Panchmahabhuta. As fulfill this purpose we must know the we earlier said that, based on Panchmahabhuta Panchabhautic composition of therapeutic Siddhant people are distinguished in to three substances. categories with unique characteristics these are Vata, 3. Tridosha Prakopa and Prashman (Vitiation and Pitta, Kapha. People with Vata characteristic have alleviation of humors): According to great Acharya Vayu and Aakashmahabhuta as there dominating , Vata, Pitta and Kapha are the main components. Those one with Pitta have factors for the initiation of all pathogenesis inside Agnimahabhuta and those with Kapha characteristics the body, because of having their symptoms, their have Jala and Prithvimahabhuta as their subsidence and scriptural evidence. As the entire predominating components. universe is Panchabhautic, the entire disorders Clinical application of Panchamahabhutas present in different forms do not exist without 1. If any of these Mahabhuta gets vitiated in the Tridoshas. These variations are due to difference body and cause the disease, than that Mahabhuta in Panchabhautic composition of Doshas. Dravyas can be normalized by giving the drug and food composed of Prithvi, Agni and Jalamahabhuta having Mahabhuta of opposite properties than helps in alleviation of Vatadosha; Dravyas having the vitiated one. As Prithvimahabhuta gets dominancy in Prithvi, Jala and Vayumahabhuta vitiated it can be treated by giving Vayu, Agni, alleviates Pitta Dosha and Dravyas having Aakaashmahabhuta Pradhan as they predominance in Aakash, Agni and Vayu comprises opposite properties of Mahabhutas reduces Kapha Dosha. Dravyas Prithvimahabhuta. As per Samanya Vishesha which are rich in Aakash, Vayumahabhuta violates Siddhant, Samanya is the main cause of increase Vata Dosha, Agni Mahabhuta predominant and Vishesha is the main cause of decrease. So Dravyas creates Pitta Prakopa (Increases Pitta) opposite Chikitsa of the every Mahabhuta as we while Prithvi and Jalamahabhuta predominant discussed can be like this as shown in table.[8] Dravyas aggravates Kapha. In this way all Dravyas are having different composition of Mahabhuta Mahabhuta Chikitsa properties. So by seeking accurate knowledge of properties of Mahabhutas one can apply these in Mahabhuta Opposite Mahabhuta to Chikitsa.[3] Aaakaash Prithvi + Jala CONCLUSION

Vayu Prithvi + Jala Under the present circumstances Ayurvedic approach for etiopathogensis would be of great use. The fruitful Agni Prithvi + Jala conclusions, which have automatically emerged Prithvi Aakaash + Vayu + Agni through the discussion of the conceptual review study, are being presented here. Panchmahabhutas

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences | Sep - Oct 2018 | Vol. 3 | Issue 5 149

Dr. Kusum Malik et.al. Panchamahabhuta - Aadharbhut Siddhant and their application in Chikitsa

ISSN: 2456-3110 REVIEW ARTICLE Sep-Oct 2018

are basic elements of the body. Imbalance of these REFERENCES five elements in the human body can cause different symptoms in accordance with characteristics or 1. Agnivesha. “”, Revised by Charaka and Dridhabala with the Ayurvedadipika commentary of attributes inherent in that or other element, which Chakrapanidatta, edited by Yadavji Trikamji Acharya. are called Gunadwandva (duality of attributes). Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, Varanasi, Reprint, Shareera as well as the Loka is made up of 2009, Sharira 1/27, Pg. 807. Panchmahabhuta. Intake of Prithvipradhana and Jalapradhana Dravya will increase the same quality in 2. http://bestonhealth.com/introduction-to- ayurveda/panchmahabhuta-theory the Shareera. As per the Samanya Vishesha Siddhanta, Samanya is the main cause for the 3. Dinesh PrakashTodkar, G.S.Lavekar, Critical Appraisal increase and Vishesha is the cause of decrease. Hence of Panchmahabhuta Siddhanta, IAMJ (International treatment protocol should be according to Ayurvedic Medical Journal),Volume.3,issue5,May- Panchmahabhuta dominance in body. And we can say 2015,ISSN:2320 5091. that Panchmahabhuta Siddhanta plays an important 4. Sushruta. , Revised by with role in Chikitsa. the Nibandha Sangraha commentary of Dalhana, edited by Yadavji Trikamji Acharya.Varanasi: All the available Dravyas can be used as medicine but Chaukhambha Orientalia, Ed. reprint, 2002, it requires proper logic (Yukti), also this is possible sharirsathaan 1/7. only after deep understanding of Panchamahabhutas 5. Agnivesha. “Charaka Samhita”, Revised by Charaka and as it forms the foundation base of all other Dridhabala with the Ayurveda dipika commentary of (principles). The concept of Panchamahabhuta Chakrapanidatta, edited by Yadavji Trikamji Acharya. principle is peculiarity of Ayurveda. Though, Ayurveda Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, Varanasi, reprint, is having similar views with Darshanashastras like 2009, Sharir 1/29, Pg. 808. , Sankhya etc. in many aspects, but the 6. Agnivesha. “Charaka Samhita”, Revised by Charaka and concept of Panchamahabhutas in Ayurveda is molded Dridhabala with the Ayurveda dipika commentary of in such a way that, it becomes helpful in Nidana and Chakrapanidatta, edited by Yadavji Trikamji Acharya. Chikitsa, thereby fulfilling its aim of Dhatusamya. Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, Varanasi, reprint, Mahabhuta dominance of a Panchabhautic Dravya 2009, Sharir 1/28, Pg. 808. can be detected, but it is not possible to understand 7. http://www.planetayurveda.com/panchmahabhuta- or predict the configuration of Mahabhutas, shapes concept.html and size of Mahabhuta - molecules due to limitations of human senses and intelligence. So in this regards How to cite this article: Dr. Kusum Malik, Dr. Brijesh the present review article also opens a new research Mishra. Panchamahabhuta - Aadharbhut Siddhant and window in the field of Ayurvedic fundamental their application in Chikitsa. J Ayurveda Integr Med Sci research on this Siddhanta. 2018;5:146-150. http://dx.doi.org/10.21760/jaims.v3i5.13833

Source of Support: Nil, Conflict of Interest: None declared.

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Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences | Sep - Oct 2018 | Vol. 3 | Issue 5 150