To understand physiology, pathology and
pharmacokinetics of ayurvedic therapeutics the concept of panchbhoutic
siddanth is of vital importance. Phrithwi, Aapa, Teja, Vayu and Akasha are
the five (Pancha) basic elements that are the constituents of all living
matter. Together these five are called Panchamahabhoota. These five
elements are the building units of every thing, including medicines and
living beings. Depending on the majority of the content, the matter is
classified as Parthiva, Apya, Taijasa, Vayaviya and Akashiya respectively.
The permutation and combination of these elements and its quantum in a
given matter decides its properties. Mahabhoota is the smallest divisible
unit of any matter.
The space without which exixtence of any matter is impossible is called
the Akashamahabhoota that was first evolved from the akasha-tanmatra (only
Akasha element). The Sound (Shabda) is the main sense attribute and
Apratighatatwa (Nonresistance?) is its main property. Next to evolve from
Akashamahabhoota. Sparsha (touch) is Vayumahabhoota that inherits
attribute of Shabda.
Chalatwa
as its main property. From Vayumahabhoota the next to evolve is
Agnimahabhoota. The main sense attribute of Agni is Roopa (Vision) and the
main property is Ushnatwa (heat). It also inherits the sense attributes of
Shabda and Sparsha from the earlier Mahabhootas.The next in line to evolve
from Agnimahabhoota is Aapamahabhoota (Jalamahabhoota). Rasa (taste) is
its main sense attribute and Dravatwa (liquidity) is the main property,
along with that inherited from earlier Mahabhoota.
The last to evolve is Prithwimahabhoota. Kharatwa (roughness) is the main
property and Gandha (Smell) is the main sense of this Mahabhoota along
with properties inherited from the earlier once.
