Role of Panchamahabhuta in Wellness

Role of Panchamahabhuta inWellness

*Dr. Mahesh Kumar Vyas ** Dr. Hitesh Vyas

Key words : Panchamahabhuta, wellness, Dhatusamya, Prakritti,

Abstract:

Wellness is a feeling of goodness at the somatic, psychological and spiritual level. It is but a reflection of perfect health. The basic aim of Ayurveda is again nothing other than maintenance of this wellness;(Ch.Su.1/53) which the ancient seers have categorically stated as “Dhatusamya”.

Dhatusamya is the state of perfect balance of the Doshas(humors), Dhatus(body tissues), Malas(excretory products) and the Agni(digestive power); as these regulate the physiological and psychological functions, as well as maintain the anatomy of the body. Hence this definition of Ayurveda describes ‘wellness’ in its complete sense.

These Doshas, Dhatus, Malas and Agni are all Panchabhautika, i.e the five basic elements, viz. Akasha, Vayu, Teja, Apa and Prithvi are the basic building blocks of these three prime constituents of the human body. Similarly, all the factors in the environment affecting these constituents, so as to cause their vitiation or normalcy are also Panchabhautika.

As the ancient oriental scholars state that all substances which exist are made of Panchamahabhutas;(Ch.Su.26/10) such that, every substance is only a gross representation of the specific combinations and permutations of the five Mahabhutas. Hence even in the environment any substance will affect another that it comes in contact with by altering its Panchabhautika constitution. Just as any substance that comes in contact with the human body will cause changes either beneficial or hazardous by changing its Panchabhautika constitution. Hence the root to both disease as well as health lies in the Panchamahabhutas.

To maintain wellness in an individual his dietary habits and daily regimen needs to be regularized on the basis of this own constitution, that which is called his Prakriti. This constitution of any person is an unchanging status of the Doshas in his body which is formed at the time of conception. Of the many factors influencing the body constitution the ancient seers have also categorically mentioned ‘Panchamahabhutas’.

* Reader, Dept. of Basic Principles, I.P.G.T. & R.A., Jamnagar

** Lecturer, Dept. of Basic Principles, I.P.G.T. & R.A. Jamanagar

The Prakriti of the foetus at the time of conception is influenced by the dominant Panchmahabhutas of the sperm and ovum, of the diet taken by the mother, those that entire the uterus alongwith Atma, those Mahabhutas in the uterus and the environment outside.(S.Sa.5/3) It is now proved and invariably accepted by the modern scientists too, that changes in the seasons do have an effect on a growing foetus and eventually certain characteristics are seen in the individual according to the season in which they are born.(Times of India, 3^rd Dec, 2007) These affects are nothing but the alterations in the Mahabhautika constitution.

Later on being born he is categorized according to the dominant mahabhuta in his Prakriti.(S.Sa.4/80) On the basis of which his diet and regimen is decided to maintain physical as well as mental health. The effect of seasons on his health is again governed by the dominant Mahabhutas.

Ayurveda describes the evolution of these Mahabhutas from the Trigunas, the Satva, Rajas and Tamas, which reside in the Mind and coordinate the mental faculty. The Mahabhutas during the process of dissolution also disintegrate to these three Gunas. And any changes in these Panchamahbhutas also affect the mental balance and vice versa. Especially so as the Panchabhautika food also has an impact on the mind.(C.Su.26/43, C.Su.27/3, C.Su.22/37)

Today, Yoga, Dietary regimens and life styles are practiced the world over, to achieve this feeling of wellness. Ayurveda attributes wellness to the perfect balanced state of the three humours, Dhatus and Malas, which are only grosser representatives of the Panchamahbhutas. Hence all of the above is nothing but the play of the Mahabhutas. If these are well in control the gross anomalies can be successfully averted and the feeling of wellness brought.

The finer details of diet, regimen, psychological and seasonal changes on the basis of the Mahabhutas in an attempt to achieve wellness will be discussed with suitable examples, in the final paper.