The "Ayurvedica Introduction" was a review of Shad Darshan-Six Philosophies, which are at the core of Ayurveda. The five elements were mentioned briefly, but in this section - "Doshic Theory" - they will be the primary focus.
Understanding the inanimate world is not always easy, let alone relating it to the animate world through Dosha Theory, but if we approach this from physics to physiology to the Gunas-"strings; quality, attributes; quality born of nature; universal attributes" and Karmas-actions, it can be done!
The Five Elements-Panchabhuta and Their Attributes-Gunas:
The Rishis perceived All That Lives, from its very beginning, as an unmanifested-avyakta state of Pure Consciousness-Cit; from here arose the first elements-dhatavah.
First was the subtle vibration of Primal Sound - AUM - manifested.
From AUM came Akasha-Ether.
The movement of Akasha gave birth to Vayu-Air.
Vayu-Air produced friction, which generated heat and light, and so Tejas-Fire, was born.
Tejas'-Fire heat dissolved forming Apas-Water (sometimes Jala).
Apas-Water solidified into Prithivi-Earth.
It is from Prithivi-Earth that all physical forms/organic beings were created, like plants and animals. Further, Prithivi brought forth all inorganic substance, such as minerals.
Ayurveda then, considers the Five Elements to be the 'womb' of all matter.
These five basic elements - Akasha, Vayu, Tejas, Apas, Prithivi - exist in ALL matter. Water is a good example of this: solid water or ice is an aspect of Prithivi; latent Tejas within ice melts it; Vayu is expressed through precipitation; which dissolves into Akasha.
The Five Elements then, originated from Pure Consciousness-Cit; thus, energy and matter are one.
Because humans are a microcosm of the multiverse the five basic elements exist within each individual. Including Akasha-Space, which is found in the mouth, nose, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, abdomen, thorax, capillaries, and tissues.
Vayu-Air is movement, as seen in the lung and heart, even a single cell or a nerve impulse.
Tejas is Fire and Light, as seen in the sun; or within the human form, as metabolism. Tejas is the digestive system and the brain - where Tejas is identified as intelligence. Body temperature and vision are also Tejas.
Apas-Water is bodily secretion, mucous membranes, plasma, and cytoplasm. Without Apas there is no vitality, as seen in the case of dehydration, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Prithivi-Earth is the basis of life as we understand it on this realm of experience. All That Lives is possible because of Prithivi.
To recap:
Akasha = Shabda-sound, vocal cords, speech, ears, hearing
Vayu = Sparsha-touch, hands, giving and receiving, skin, tactile perception
Tejas = Rupa-form, legs, walking, eyes, vision
Apas = Rasa-taste, genitals, procreation, tongue, taste
Prithivi = Gandha-smell-odor, excretory organs, excretion, nose, smell
Be Whole!
Siddhananda Devi
tribes.tribe.net/adi_ayurveda
tribes.tribe.net/adi_bhagavad_gita
tribes.tribe.net/adi_tantra
tribes.tribe.net/hamsa_yoga
Understanding the inanimate world is not always easy, let alone relating it to the animate world through Dosha Theory, but if we approach this from physics to physiology to the Gunas-"strings; quality, attributes; quality born of nature; universal attributes" and Karmas-actions, it can be done!
The Five Elements-Panchabhuta and Their Attributes-Gunas:
The Rishis perceived All That Lives, from its very beginning, as an unmanifested-avyakta state of Pure Consciousness-Cit; from here arose the first elements-dhatavah.
First was the subtle vibration of Primal Sound - AUM - manifested.
From AUM came Akasha-Ether.
The movement of Akasha gave birth to Vayu-Air.
Vayu-Air produced friction, which generated heat and light, and so Tejas-Fire, was born.
Tejas'-Fire heat dissolved forming Apas-Water (sometimes Jala).
Apas-Water solidified into Prithivi-Earth.
It is from Prithivi-Earth that all physical forms/organic beings were created, like plants and animals. Further, Prithivi brought forth all inorganic substance, such as minerals.
Ayurveda then, considers the Five Elements to be the 'womb' of all matter.
These five basic elements - Akasha, Vayu, Tejas, Apas, Prithivi - exist in ALL matter. Water is a good example of this: solid water or ice is an aspect of Prithivi; latent Tejas within ice melts it; Vayu is expressed through precipitation; which dissolves into Akasha.
The Five Elements then, originated from Pure Consciousness-Cit; thus, energy and matter are one.
Because humans are a microcosm of the multiverse the five basic elements exist within each individual. Including Akasha-Space, which is found in the mouth, nose, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, abdomen, thorax, capillaries, and tissues.
Vayu-Air is movement, as seen in the lung and heart, even a single cell or a nerve impulse.
Tejas is Fire and Light, as seen in the sun; or within the human form, as metabolism. Tejas is the digestive system and the brain - where Tejas is identified as intelligence. Body temperature and vision are also Tejas.
Apas-Water is bodily secretion, mucous membranes, plasma, and cytoplasm. Without Apas there is no vitality, as seen in the case of dehydration, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Prithivi-Earth is the basis of life as we understand it on this realm of experience. All That Lives is possible because of Prithivi.
To recap:
Akasha = Shabda-sound, vocal cords, speech, ears, hearing
Vayu = Sparsha-touch, hands, giving and receiving, skin, tactile perception
Tejas = Rupa-form, legs, walking, eyes, vision
Apas = Rasa-taste, genitals, procreation, tongue, taste
Prithivi = Gandha-smell-odor, excretory organs, excretion, nose, smell
Be Whole!
Siddhananda Devi
tribes.tribe.net/adi_ayurveda
tribes.tribe.net/adi_bhagavad_gita
tribes.tribe.net/adi_tantra
tribes.tribe.net/hamsa_yoga
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