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Review Article International Ayurvedic Medical Journal ISSN:2320 5091

CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF PANCHAMAHABHUTA SIDDHANT Dinesh Prakash Todkari1, G.S.Lavekar2 1Lecturer, Dept of Sidhant, Dhanwantari Ayurved College,Udgir, Maharashtra, India 2Former DG, CCRAS- AYUSH, Ministry of Health & F.W. Govt. Of India, New Delhi, India

ABSTRACT For true exploration and validation of in all its aspects, scientific inputs should conform to Ayurveda’s basic principles and philosophy. 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 siddhant and it is a still stalemate for us. In this perception present attempt is enlightened on clinical application and its importance in Ayurveda. Here emphasis has been given on evolution of Panchamahabhuta, its relation with other fundamentals like (humours), Rasa (tastes), garbhotpatti (embryonic development), Diagnostic methods and samskar (biotransforma- tion). So on the basis of thorough knowledge and understanding of Panchamahabhut siddhant one can take an account of the causative factors for the imbalance of and thereby discover the solution for the treatment. Detail literature reviewed regarding Panchamahabhuta theory in the form of dissertation, thesis, review articles, internet sources, modern concepts, souvenirs and these are used as material for present conceptual study. Panchamahabhutas are important components of the body both for physiological functions and in the pathogenesis of disease. Hence sincere trial by author to elaborate the concept of Panchamahabhuta in a systemic manner is done. It is very much essential for a good physi- cian to develop with this concept to make the basic things more clear and strong. This study also concludes that each and every fundamental principle of Ayurveda is based on Panchamahabhuta theory. Keywords: Ayurveda, Panchamahabhuta, diagnostic methods, biotransformation.

INTRODUCTION In present days of globalization, all mahabhutas (elements) gives nutrition to the rational sceptics are concentrated in corresponding symmetrical organs of finding the basic reasons for transforma- body1. The objective of this review article tions or existence. The concept of is to study the conceptual as well as - Panchamahabhutas (five elements) is de- plied aspect of panchamahabhuta siddhant fined vividly and scientifically in Ay- and to prove this principle as the base urveda classics. It is stated that human foundation of all other fundamentals viz. body is panchabhautika (penta ) tridosha siddhant (theory of humours), and the food we eat is also panchabhautik, garbhotpatti (foetal development), guna- when the food undergoes digestion with vada (Theory of Property & Action the help of jatharagni (digestive ) par- of substances), deha sanghatana (body thiv ( Dominant) properties of food composition). panchamahabhut siddhant nourishes the parthiv parts of body. In is universally accepted theory. Even it these manner symmetrical properties of does not oppose the development of other Dinesh Prakash Todkari & G.S.Lavekar: Critical Appraisal Of Panchamahabhuta Siddhant theories. In fact every (substance) causes of existence. Even the most mod- in this has its panchamahabhuta ernized equipment leads them to a more composition doesn’t whether they pensive problem. These are the limitations are chetan (living) or achetan (non living) of theirs which has attracted them to east- 2. All the Karya (perceivable mat- ern philosophy. Ayurveda can satisfy them ters) existing in the world are panchabhau- with a more sound explanation on the basis tika. Panchamahabhutas are at the junc- of panchamahabhuta siddhant. ture of subtle to the more gross manifesta- Evolution of Panchamahabhuta theory4 tion of the universe. But some people think It takes place in 3 levels that it is having less practical utility and a) First level: Evolution of Panchatanma- more mental exercise. The reasoning of tra (Subtle elements) anything and everything which cannot be b) Second level: Bhutantaranupravesha explained by tridoshas can be very well (Imitative pervasion) interpreted by panchamahabhuta siddhant. c) Third level: Panchikaran (Reciprocal This concept of panchamahabhuta is ca- pervasion) pable in providing ultimate solution for the From (indistinct), a short look queries in the field of Ayurveda as per upto evolution of mahabhutas is as shown acharya Sushruta3. below in fig .1 In present scenario all branches of science are busy in finding the basic

Avyakta

Mahat

Ahamkaar

Satvik

11 Panchatanmatra

Panchamahabhuta Fig.1 Satva(essence), Raja(energy) and a) First level: - Evolution of Panchatan- tamas(mass). The Rajas motivates tamas matra (Subtle elements) in specific quantities, the first product of At the practical use level, tanmatra form by these two in tanma- of mahabhutas can be considered as eter- tra. nal. The Ahamkaar(ego) manifested from mahat contains three charactersitics viz. In brief, evolution of Panchatanmatra from bhutadi ahamkar is as Bhutadi ahamkar Shabda tanmatra (akash)

1455 www.iamj.in IAMJ: Volume 3; Issue 5; May - 2015 Dinesh Prakash Todkari & G.S.Lavekar: Critical Appraisal Of Panchamahabhuta Siddhant Sparsha tanmatra ()

Rupa tanmatra (Teja)

Rasa tanmatra (Jala)

Gandha tanmatra (Prithvi) Tanmatra is subtle quantum of mahabhuta paraspara-samsarga: In this process two category having a specific raja or tama. or more Mahabhutas come in contact and Philosophical science explained them as simply get attached to each other to form having a material form and indivisible fur- panchabhautika dravya. ther. paraspar-anugraha: b) Second level - Bhutantaranuprave- Anugraha means Upakara, give and take sha (Imitative pervasion) relationship, to enhance properties of each At this level, undergo some re- other. In this type of conjugation reaction, actions to form the premolecules of ma- mahabhutas act in such a way that they habhutas will favour each other. c) Third level - Panchikaran (pentameri- paraspara-anupravesha: zation or reciprocal pervasion) In this type of conjugation, Mahabhutas The process in which molecules of the get submerged into each other. This mahabhutas (primary existents) are com- paraspar- anupravesha procedure is of bined with gross existents is called as Pan- again, but at Mahabhuta chikaran (pentamerization). level. Now the products which are going Role of panchamahabhutas is not limited to act as single units in the manifestation upto physical development of body but of universe are formed. These conjugated they are also involved in development of forms of tanmatra are termed as mahabhu- psychological properties. In Shantiparva tas. The Mahabhutas so formed, by the (chapter from mahabharat) of Mahab- bhutantaranupravesa and panchikarana harata7 it is clearly mentioned that the per- reactions of tanmatra, undergo specific son having Prithvi mahabhut dominance in procedures of conjugation to form the it shows Dhriti(capacity to bear anything), manifested panchabhautika dravyas of the Jala mahabhut dominancy shows universe, around us. There is no any clear Soumya(aggreableness) behaviour, indi- explanation in the classics about the reac- vidual having Agni mahabhut dominance tions taking place in between mahabhutas, reveals Shoka(sorrowness), Vayu mahab- Acharya Chakrapani comments that these hut dominant person shows bala (strength) reactions of mahabhutas takes place due to and Swatantrata (independent nature) Adrushta5 (Some unknown power). Hence property and Akash mahabhut dominant no logic can be applied in this case; persons are having Apratighat (unoppos- Acharya Sushrut6 in this regard described ing) nature. 3 types of conjugations taking place Panchamahabhuta and embryonic de- among mahabhutas to form panchabhau- velopment8 tika dravya. These are: The amalgam of sperm and ovum when embedded in uterus along with 1456 www.iamj.in IAMJ: Volume 3; Issue 5; May - 2015 Dinesh Prakash Todkari & G.S.Lavekar: Critical Appraisal Of Panchamahabhuta Siddhant chetana then vayu Mahabhut starts divi- dominance is having brumhana (weight sion in embryo to form dosha (humours) gaining) action on body. and avayavas (organs), Teja mahabhuta Clinical application of panchamahabhu- helps in biotransformation or provides en- tas ergy, jala mahabhuta provides kledan 1) Dhatusamyata (equillibrium state of (moisture), Prithvi mahabhuta provides dhatus): is the ultimate aim of our Ay- strength by consolidation and Akash ma- urveda science10. According to Acharya habhuta helps in overall embryonic growth Charak principle of samanyam(similarity) by creating hollow structures of organs. helps in increasing degraded similar Shodhan dravya(purifying substances) dhatus in body and when there is dhatu- and panchamahabhuta9 vriddhi condition we have to use vishesha Sushrut acharya stated that Vire- dravyas (opposite substances) in treat- chan dravyas (purgative substances) are ment11. To fulfil this purpose we must always having Prithvi and Jala mahabhuta know the panchabhautik composition of dominancy since Prithvi and Jala mahab- therapeutic substances. huta are having gunas(gravitational 2) Tridosha Prakopa and Prasham (Vi- properties) and According to vaisheshik tiation and allievation of humours): Ac- darshan (philosophy) adhopatana (grav- cording to great sage Sushrut Vata, Pitta ity) is the prime property of guru guna. and Kapha are the main factors for the ini- As Agni and Vayu mahabhutas are tiation of all pathogenesis inside the body, urdhwagami (upward moving tendency) because of having their symptoms, their and having laghu gunas therefore dravya subsidence and scriptural evidence. As the with dominancy of these two mahabhutas entire universe is panchabhautik, the entire helps in vaman karma (induced emesis). disorders present in different forms do not On the basis of these perceptions and in- exist without tridoshas. These variations ference we can make logic of other are due to difference in panchabhautika (Actions). composition of doshas. Panchamahabhutas and Therapeutic Dravyas composed of Prithvi, Agni and actions Jala mahabhuta helps in alleviation of Drugs with predominance of Akash Vata dosha; Dravyas having dominancy in mahabhuta is having Sanshaman (Allieva- Prithvi, Jala and Vayu mahabhuta allevi- tion) action on body, drugs which contains ates Pitta dosha and dravyas having pre- higher degree of Vayu mahabhuta acts as dominance in Akash, Agni and Vayu ma- Sangrahika (Astringent), due to its sho- habhutas reduces Kapha dosha12. Dravyas shak (absorbtion) property it absorbs which are rich in Akash, Vayu mahabhuta moisture, drugs with predominance of violates Vata dosha, Agni mahabhut pre- Agni Mahabhut helps in aggravating dominant dravyas creates Pitta prakopa Jatharagni (digestive fire) which results in (Increases Pitta) while Prithvi and Jala increasing appetite. Drugs having both mahabhut predominant dravyas aggravates Vayu and Agni mahabhut predominance kapha. In this way all dravyas are having acts as Lekhaniya dravya (scrapping agent) different composition of mahabhuta prop- and drugs of prithvi and jala mahabhuta erties. So by seeking accurate knowledge of properties of mahabhutas one can apply

1457 www.iamj.in IAMJ: Volume 3; Issue 5; May - 2015 Dinesh Prakash Todkari & G.S.Lavekar: Critical Appraisal Of Panchamahabhuta Siddhant this knowledge to establish equilibrium of examination) is the diagnostic tool to as- doshas. sess the manobal (Mental strength) of the 3) Panchamahabhutas and Trigunas13 patient. So by knowing the level of satva relation: Satvaparikshan (Mental strength one can decide what to intervene in patient Sr.No Mahabhuta Mahaguna (3 major attributes) 1 Akash Satva 2 Vayu Raja 3 Teja Satva + Raja 4 Jala Satva + Tama 5 Prithvi Tamas Table 1: Panchamahabhutas and sponding manovikara (mahaguna disor- Trigunas relation der). Thus from above table which shows rela- 4) Panchamahabhutas and tion between mahabhuta and mahaguna Rasa(Tastes)14: Each of the rasas origi- we can predict that certain dravyas can nate with predominance of two of the help in treating the psychiatric disorders by panchabhutas using panchabhautika dravyas in corre- Rasa(Tastes) Mahabhuta dominance Madhur(sweet) Prithvi + Jala Amla(sour) Prithvi + Teja Lavana(salty) Jala + Teja Tikta(bitter) Vayu + Akash Katu(acrid/pungent)) Vayu + Teja Kashaya(astringent) Vayu + Prithvi Ultimately wise physician must know the Table 2: Panchamahabhutas and Rasa panchabhautika composition of dravyas to (Tastes) Even though the rasas are essen- successfully treat the patient. tially constituted by the five bhu- 5) Panchamahabhut and diagnostic tas(elements), the manifestation of certain methods: The following table clearly bhutas in predominance during their origin shows the importance of panchamahabhu- results in the diversity. These rasas are tas in ancient and modern diagnostic solely responsible for dosha prakopa and methodology. manifestation of disease if used in im- proper way or by use of apathyakar aahar. Sr.No Mahabhuta Diagnostic Methods 1) Prithvi Mala, Mutra, Sweda, Kapha by gandha Tanmatra (specific smell). Also in Diabetic coma, Diabetic keto acidosis. Weight and height measurement. 2) Jala Rasa sarata Examination, CSF, sputum and ascitic fluid examination. 3) Teja Fundoscopy (Colour etc. of eyes), digestion, body temperature. 4) Vayu Respiration and Cardiac sounds, ECG, peristaltic sounds.

1458 www.iamj.in IAMJ: Volume 3; Issue 5; May - 2015 Dinesh Prakash Todkari & G.S.Lavekar: Critical Appraisal Of Panchamahabhuta Siddhant 5) Akash To examine , lungs and abdomen and hollow structures like ear, nose and throat. Table 3: Panchamahabhut and diagnos- Guru Guna is converted into Sunthi having tic methods Laghu Guna. So by samskaras mentioned 6) Panchamahabhuta and dhatus: All in classics & understanding the logic of saptadhatus are panchabhautika15 and pancabhautika alteration behind it vaidya when there is dhatuvriddhi and dhatuk- (physician) can use the available dravyas shaya conditions which are responsible for as per need18. This Gunantaradhana is disease manifestations, At that time it is considered as biotransformation. very much essential for physician to know the Permutation combination of mahabhu- DISCUSSION tas of bheshaja (medicine) dravyas which After entering the depth of any concept by he is using to treat panchabhautika reviewing the old literature and applying dhatus. Also dhatvagni is also responsible the concept through available materials & for metabolic activities at the dhatu utpatti methods, next step is to test and interpret (tissue level)16. the obtained data through Anumana Pra- 7) Panchamahabhuta and Samskaar mana. In ancient research methodology (Biotransformation): The drug cannot be Panchavayava were designed to provide used as it is, in all types of patients, condi- demonstrative inference of truth, under tions & stages of the disease. The drug re- Pararthanumana (inference for others). quires some modifications according to One of the limbs of Panchavayava is disease, kaal (time period) etc situations . Upanaya (Discussion), a step prior to Ni- So to make these modifications & forma- gaman (Conclusion). Before establishment tion samskaara is mandatory. Samskaar of truth as conclusion, discussion is man- means imbibing different Gunas on the datory. In spite of detailed appraisal a the- original Gunas of a Dravya17, every ory can be accepted only after proper rea- dravya is having its specific panchabhau- soning of observations. Hence, the discus- tika composition. The alteration in panch- sion is an important part of any scientific abhautika composition is taking place at study. From the above review study it is every moment due to Agni Mahabhuta very clear that Panchamahabhuta siddhant present in it. Samskaar is the only factor is involved in each diagnostic and thera- by which one can make modifications in peutic step. On the basis of thorough panchabhautika composition of a dravya, knowledge and understanding of thereby forming new dravya according to Panchamahabhut siddhant one can take an requirement. So, it is necessary to under- account of the causative factors for the im- stand basic concept behind Samskaar and balance of doshas and thereby find out the its relation with panchamahabhutas. This solution for the treatment. The reasoning can be well understood by an example- of anything and everything which cannot when Ardraka (ginger) is soaked in lime be explained by tridoshas, dhatus, can be and dried in sunlight then its Jala very well interpreted by panchamahabhuta Mahabhuta dominance gets decreased and siddhant. The Rasa, Guna and Karma of Agni Mahabhuta dominance is increased any dravya can be altered by performing comparatively, so that Ardraka having appropriate Samskaar on dravyas. For this

1459 www.iamj.in IAMJ: Volume 3; Issue 5; May - 2015 Dinesh Prakash Todkari & G.S.Lavekar: Critical Appraisal Of Panchamahabhuta Siddhant purpose, knowledge of theory of evolution the Ayurvedadipika commentary of of five elements and formation of panch- Chakrapanidatta, edited by Yadavji Tri- abhautik dravyas will be very useful. kamji Acharya. New Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal Pvt Ltd,Fifth Ed. reprint, CONCLUSION 1992, Sutr.26/10, pp 738, Pg138. The fruitful conclusions, which 3. Sushrutha. “Sushrutha Samhita”, Re- have automatically emerged through the vised by with the Niband- discussion of the conceptual review study, hasangraha commentary of Dalhana, are being presented here. All the available edited by Yadavji Trikamji dravyas can be used as medicine but it re- Acharya.:Chaukhambha quires proper logic and yukti, also this is Orientalia, Ed. reprint, 2002, Shar.1/13, possible only after deep understanding of pp 824, Pg 341. panchamahabhutas as it forms the founda- 4. Sushrutha. “Sushrutha Samhita”, Re- tion base of all other siddhan- vised by Nagarjuna, edited by Dr. An- tas(principles). The concept of Panchama- antarama Sharma. Varanasi: Chauk- habhuta principle is peculiarity of Ay- hambha Surbharati Prakashan, sha.1/4, urveda. Though, Ayurveda is having simi- pp 610, Pg 2. lar views with Darshana like 5. Agnivesha. “”, Re- , Sankhya etc. in many aspects, vised by Charaka and Dridhabala with but the concept of Panchamahabhuta in the Ayurvedadipika commentary of Ayurveda is moulded in such a way that, it Chakrapanidatta, edited by Yadavji Tri- becomes helpful in Nidan and Chikitsa, kamjiAcharya. Varanasi: Chaukhambha thereby fulfilling its aim of dhatusamya. Sansthan, Ed. reprint, 2004, Mahabhuta dominance of a panchabhau- Chik.1/29-37, pp 738, Pg 378. tika dravya can be detected, but it is not 6. Sushrutha. “Sushrutha Samhita”, Re- possible to understand or predict the con- vised by Nagarjuna with the Niband- figuration of Mahabhutas, shapes and size hasangraha commentary of Dal- of Mahabhuta-molecules due to limita- hana,edited by Yadavji Trikamji tions of human senses and intelligence. So Acharya.Varanasi: Chaukhambha in this regards the present review article Orientalia, Ed. reprint, 2002, Sutr.42/3, also opens a new research window in the pp 824, Pg 184. field of Ayurvedic fundamental research 7. -Dwaipayana , “ Mahab- on this siddhant. harata”, English translation by Kesari- REFERENCES mohan Ganguli, Shantiparva 255, Sec- 1. Sushrutha. “Sushrutha Samhita”, Re- tion CCLV [1105], Pg 508. vised by Nagarjuna with the Niband- 8. 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