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Panchamahabhuta: the building blocks of the purusha and the loka

Panchamahabhuta: the building blocks of the purusha and the loka

That the purusha is a microcosm, made up of the same dhatus that constitute the universe: the panchamahabhuta and consciousness (atman, or the Self, within the purusha, and Brahman, or the superconsciousness, within the universe) is central to Vedic philosophy in general and Ayurveda in particular. Bodily components – doshas, dhatus, and mala – are also made up of mahabhutas, and so are ahara (food), and aushadha (medicine). A disequilibrium between the environment and the person could therefore vitiate the constitution of the person, the food he eats, and the efficacy of the medication he takes, making him physically or mentally diseased. A society made up of diseased individuals would only make the environment more diseased. Thus, Ayurveda is not just about the health of an individual, but also the health of the planet.

That the purusha is a microcosm, made up of the same dhatus that constitute the universe: the panchamahabhuta and consciousness (atman, or the Self, within the purusha, and Brahman, or the superconsciousness, within the universe) is central to Vedic philosophy in general and Ayurveda in particular. Bodily components – doshas, dhatus, and mala – are also made up of mahabhutas, and so are ahara (food), and aushadha (medicine). A disequilibrium between the environment and the person could therefore vitiate the constitution of the person, the food he eats, and the efficacy of the medication he takes, making him physically or mentally diseased. A society made up of diseased individuals would only make the environment more diseased. Thus, Ayurveda is not just about the health of an individual, but also the health of the planet.

Panchabhautika chikitsa:

Panchabhautika chikitsa:

The specific actions and effects of mahabhuta in development of various body constituents, organs, systems are described in previous chapter ( sharira sthana chapter 4/12). The knowledge of similarity between man and universe can be applied for diagnosis of ailments and their treatments. The panchabhautika chikitsa system focuses on this principle. E.g. if certain body constituents originated from prithvi mahabhuta ( viz. bones) are disordered, then it can be treated with parthiva medicines available in the external world ( viz. shells, minerals).   

The specific actions and effects of mahabhuta in development of various body constituents, organs, systems are described in previous chapter ( sharira sthana chapter 4/12). The knowledge of similarity between man and universe can be applied for diagnosis of ailments and their treatments. The panchabhautika chikitsa system focuses on this principle. E.g. if certain body constituents originated from prithvi mahabhuta ( viz. bones) are disordered, then it can be treated with parthiva medicines available in the external world ( viz. shells, minerals).   

Health and Disease: Causes

Health and Disease: Causes

The principle causes of disease, per Ayurveda, are a) Kala parinama, b) Prajnaparadha, and c) Asatmyaindriyartha Samayoga. (Sutra Sthana, 1/54 and Sharira Sthana, 1/98). In this context, it is important to note that kala (time), buddhi (intellect), and indriyartha are the three basic factors that govern an individual’s state of health and disease. Samayoga, or favorable conditions, are conducive to health while visamayoga (ayoga, atiyoga, and mithyayoga) of kala, buddhi, and indriyartha leads to disease. In the state of health, the basic components of the body – doshas, dhatus, and mala – are in a state of equilibrium, implied by the term samayoga.

The principle causes of disease, per Ayurveda, are a) Kala parinama, b) Prajnaparadha, and c) Asatmyaindriyartha Samayoga. (Sutra Sthana, 1/54 and Sharira Sthana, 1/98). In this context, it is important to note that kala (time), buddhi (intellect), and indriyartha are the three basic factors that govern an individual’s state of health and disease. Samayoga, or favorable conditions, are conducive to health while visamayoga (ayoga, atiyoga, and mithyayoga) of kala, buddhi, and indriyartha leads to disease. In the state of health, the basic components of the body – doshas, dhatus, and mala – are in a state of equilibrium, implied by the term samayoga.

Desha (habitat or local environment), and its role in health and disease

Desha (habitat or local environment), and its role in health and disease

The role of desha is significant in matters of health and disease. It denotes the habitat of an individual and is also considered among the Karana dravyas in Sutra Sthana Chapter 1. Desha influences the individual’s diet, etiological factors responsible for various diseases, availability of medicinal plants. In fact, extending the man-environment relationship, Ayurveda considers examination of one’s locale to be an important factor in the diagnosis of a disease. Ayurvedic texts classify desha into three types: anupa desha (marshy land), jangala desha (forested or wooded land), and sadharana desha (mix of marshy and forested land). (Kalpa Sthana, 1/6). The concept of oka satmya (adjustment or adapting to a particular diet or behavior due to habitual use or practice) is also closely related to desha and season. A diet or medication suitable to a particular region or time may be counterindicative in another.

The role of desha is significant in matters of health and disease. It denotes the habitat of an individual and is also considered among the Karana dravyas in Sutra Sthana Chapter 1. Desha influences the individual’s diet, etiological factors responsible for various diseases, availability of medicinal plants. In fact, extending the man-environment relationship, Ayurveda considers examination of one’s locale to be an important factor in the diagnosis of a disease. Ayurvedic texts classify desha into three types: anupa desha (marshy land), jangala desha (forested or wooded land), and sadharana desha (mix of marshy and forested land). (Kalpa Sthana, 1/6). The concept of oka satmya (adjustment or adapting to a particular diet or behavior due to habitual use or practice) is also closely related to desha and season. A diet or medication suitable to a particular region or time may be counterindicative in another.

Kala (temporal factors), and its role in Health and Disease

Kala (temporal factors), and its role in Health and Disease

Kala plays a very important role in Ayurveda, and is a universal factor that affects the purusha and the loka. Vedic texts talk of various time spans, quite similar to those in modern sciences – describing the life-spans of the universe and various celestial objects, as well as that of the purusha. It is also a Karana dravya, per Ayurveda (Sutra Sthana, 1/48). In Ayurveda, Kala does not only mean time, but also seasons (ritu), and from that standpoint, plays an important role in determining causative factors of diseases or prescribing therapies for maintaining health.  (Sutra Sthana , 11/23, Vimana Sthana, 1/21/6, Sutra Sthana 6/4).  

Kala plays a very important role in Ayurveda, and is a universal factor that affects the purusha and the loka. Vedic texts talk of various time spans, quite similar to those in modern sciences – describing the life-spans of the universe and various celestial objects, as well as that of the purusha. It is also a Karana dravya, per Ayurveda (Sutra Sthana, 1/48). In Ayurveda, Kala does not only mean time, but also seasons (ritu), and from that standpoint, plays an important role in determining causative factors of diseases or prescribing therapies for maintaining health.  (Sutra Sthana , 11/23, Vimana Sthana, 1/21/6, Sutra Sthana 6/4).  

Kala also influences doshika rhythm. External environmental changes brought about by changes in the season influence the pattern of doshic changes in the body. These have been described to be of three stages: Chaya (or Sanchaya, accumulation), Prakopa (vitiation, aggravation), and Prashamana (remission to normalcy) (Sutra Sthana, 17/114). These stages generally occur in a natural manner through normal seasonal variations, and therefore Ayurvedic practitioners would typically advise care and adjustment in diet and lifestyle to account for these changes.  

Kala also influences doshika rhythm. External environmental changes brought about by changes in the season influence the pattern of doshic changes in the body. These have been described to be of three stages: Chaya (or Sanchaya, accumulation), Prakopa (vitiation, aggravation), and Prashamana (remission to normalcy) (Sutra Sthana, 17/114). These stages generally occur in a natural manner through normal seasonal variations, and therefore Ayurvedic practitioners would typically advise care and adjustment in diet and lifestyle to account for these changes.  

Influence of purusha on loka: janapadodhwamsha

Influence of purusha on loka: janapadodhwamsha

While the purusha is influenced by his environment, the loka is also influenced by purusha by his virtuous as well as destructive activities. The concept of janpadodhwamsha talks of natural as well as man-made calamities and epidemics (Sutra Sthana, 1/41, Vimana Sthana, 3/9/11).  Charaka Samhita states that in their natural elements, air, water, land, and seasons are indispensable in this order. This indicates that desha and kala/ritu are the most important factors from the standpoint of maintenance of health or for the occurrence of diseases. Vitiation of these four factors, besides the actions of one’s past life, per Ayurveda, has a direct bearing on the state of physical and mental health of individuals in particular and societies in general.  

While the purusha is influenced by his environment, the loka is also influenced by purusha by his virtuous as well as destructive activities. The concept of janpadodhwamsha talks of natural as well as man-made calamities and epidemics (Sutra Sthana, 1/41, Vimana Sthana, 3/9/11).  Charaka Samhita states that in their natural elements, air, water, land, and seasons are indispensable in this order. This indicates that desha and kala/ritu are the most important factors from the standpoint of maintenance of health or for the occurrence of diseases. Vitiation of these four factors, besides the actions of one’s past life, per Ayurveda, has a direct bearing on the state of physical and mental health of individuals in particular and societies in general.  

The path to achieve a status of complete human being and salvation is described in this chapter.  

The path to achieve a status of complete human being and salvation is described in this chapter.  

In conclusion, various verses and sections of Ayurvedic texts keep reiterating the causes of somatic and mental health conditions – and invariably all point to imbalances in the equilibrium between man and his environment.  

In conclusion, various verses and sections of Ayurvedic texts keep reiterating the causes of somatic and mental health conditions – and invariably all point to imbalances in the equilibrium between man and his environment.  

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