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The word ‘jala’ literally means ‘water’ or ‘any fluid’.<ref>Monier-Williams, Monier-Williams Sanskrit- English Dictionary, 1st edition; Oxford University Press, jala, Page 414</ref>  It is also known as ‘aap mahabhuta’. The word ‘aap’ also means ‘water’.<ref>Monier-Williams, Monier-Williams Sanskrit- English Dictionary, 1st edition; Oxford University Press, ap, Page 47</ref>  It is one among the [[panchamahabhuta]] [Cha.Sa.[[Sharira Sthana]] 01/27]. The fluid content inside and out of the cell corresponds to the jala mahabhuta in the human body.  

The word ‘jala’ literally means ‘water’ or ‘any fluid’.<ref>Monier-Williams, Monier-Williams Sanskrit- English Dictionary, 1st edition; Oxford University Press, jala, Page 414</ref>  It is also known as ‘ap mahabhuta’. The word ‘ap’ also means ‘water’.<ref>Monier-Williams, Monier-Williams Sanskrit- English Dictionary, 1st edition; Oxford University Press, ap, Page 47</ref>  It is one among the [[panchamahabhuta]] [Cha.Sa.[[Sharira Sthana]] 01/27]. The fluid content inside and out of the cell corresponds to the jala mahabhuta in the human body.  

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{{Infobox

==Etymology and definition==

==Etymology and definition==

That which have the sensations of vision (rupa), taste(rasa), touch (sparsha), sliminess (snigdha) and is in the form of liquid (drava) is called ‘aap’ [Vaisheshika sutra].<ref>Dr K P Sreekumari Amma,editor. Padartha Vijnanam. Trivandrum:Ayurveda college Trivandrum; 2001.chapter 2,Jala nirupana;p.18.</ref>  It is cold on touch [Tarkasangraha].<ref>Dr K P Sreekumari Amma,editor. Padartha Vijnanam. Trivandrum:Ayurveda college Trivandrum; 2001.chapter 2,Jala nirupana;p.19.</ref>  

That which have the sensations of vision (rupa), taste(rasa), touch (sparsha), sliminess (snigdha) and is in the form of liquid (drava) is called ‘ap’ [Vaisheshika sutra].<ref>Dr K P Sreekumari Amma,editor. Padartha Vijnanam. Trivandrum:Ayurveda college Trivandrum; 2001.chapter 2,Jala nirupana;p.18.</ref>  It is cold on touch [Tarkasangraha].<ref>Dr K P Sreekumari Amma,editor. Padartha Vijnanam. Trivandrum:Ayurveda college Trivandrum; 2001.chapter 2,Jala nirupana;p.19.</ref>  

==Synonyms==

==Synonyms==

Aap, jala, ambu, toya, udaka, soma

Ap, jala, ambu, toya, udaka, soma

==Contextual meanings==

==Contextual meanings==

The term aap denotes the following meanings

The term ap denotes the following meanings

#Jalamahabhuta

#Jalamahabhuta

#Water present in the external world

#Water present in the external world

==Types==

==Types==

Aap is present in two forms:<ref>Dingarilakshmanachary.Acharya’sAyurvedeeyapadarthavigyana. Delhi: Chaukhamba Sanskrit pratisthan;2012.Chapter08, Jala nirupana;p.57.</ref>

Ap is present in two forms:<ref>Dingarilakshmanachary.Acharya’sAyurvedeeyapadarthavigyana. Delhi: Chaukhamba Sanskrit pratisthan;2012.Chapter08, Jala nirupana;p.57.</ref>

#Nitya (eternal)

#Nitya (eternal)

#Anitya (ephemeral)  

#Anitya (ephemeral)  

The paramanu(minute/subtle) form of aapmahabhuta is nitya(eternal). The secondary forms by combination of these paramanu are anitya (ephemeral).

The minute/subtle (paramanu) form of apmahabhuta is eternal(nitya). The secondary forms by combination of these paramanu are ephemeral (anitya).

==General characteristics==

==General characteristics==

*Slimy (pichchila)  

*Slimy (pichchila)  

*Rasa (taste)dominance.  

*Rasa (taste)dominance.  

*Shabda (sound), sparsha(touch) and rupa(vision)[Cha.Sa.[[Sharira Sthana]] 1/28]

*Sound(shabda), touch(sparsha) and vision(rupa)[Cha.Sa.[[Sharira Sthana]] 1/28]

==Specific character (lakshana)==

==Specific character (lakshana)==

===Role in formation of dhatu===

===Role in formation of dhatu===

*The liquidity and fluidity of [[rakta]] (blood) is a result of apmahabhuta [Su.Sa.Su.14/9].

*The liquidity and fluidity of blood ([[rakta]]) is a result of apmahabhuta [Su.Sa.Su.14/9].

*Jala mahabhuta also maintains fluidity, unctuousness and flexibility in body components like [[rasa]](plasma and lymph), [[meda]](adipose tissue), [[majja]]( bone marrow), [[shukra]], mutra(urine), sweda(sweat) and stanya(breast milk) [Su.Sa.Su 15/10].

*Jala mahabhuta also maintains fluidity, unctuousness and flexibility in body components like plasma and lymph([[rasa]]), adipose tissue([[meda]]), bone marrow([[majja]]), [[shukra]], urine(mutra), sweat(sweda) and breast milk(stanya) [Su.Sa.Su 15/10].

===Role in determining the complexion===

===Role in determining the complexion===

The moisture, unctuousness, softness and delightfulness in the body are decided by the jalamahabhuta [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]]26/11]. Abnormalities in these functions are observed to assess the varying proportions of jalamahabhuta in the body.   

The moisture, unctuousness, softness and delightfulness in the body are decided by the jalamahabhuta [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]]26/11]. Abnormalities in these functions are observed to assess the varying proportions of jalamahabhuta in the body.   

The increase or decrease in [[kapha]][[dosha]] and other body components with above properties depend upon jalamahabhuta. Hence, it is observed. For e.g.Depletion of [[rasa]] [[dhatu]] may result due to reduction of apmahabhuta and vice versa in the body. It leads to trishna (thirst) and other features of [[rasa]] kshaya (depletion of rasa) [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 22/16].  

The increase or decrease in [[kapha]][[dosha]] and other body components with above properties depend upon jalamahabhuta. Hence, it is observed. For e.g.Depletion of [[rasa]] [[dhatu]] may result due to reduction of apmahabhuta and vice versa in the body. It leads to thirst (trishna) and other features of depletion of rasa ([[rasa]] kshaya) [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 22/16].  

===Application in treatment===

===Application in treatment===

*Udaka form is the best for production of soothing effect/refreshing agent (ashwasakara) [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 25/40]. It is used in the treatment of psycho-neurological disorders like anxiety neurosis.

*Udaka form is the best for production of soothing effect/refreshing agent (ashwasakara) [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 25/40]. It is used in the treatment of psycho-neurological disorders like anxiety neurosis.

*Jala is best in producing astringent effect. Hence it is used for creating bonds or as binding agent [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 25/40].  

*Jala is best in producing astringent effect. Hence it is used for creating bonds or as binding agent [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 25/40].  

*The substances which are heavy (guru) to digest have predominance of [[prithvi]] and jalamahabhuta. Their overuse affects [[agni]] (digestion and metabolism)[Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 5/6]. The quantity of food is determined by inherent nature of food (light or heavy to digest) based upon fundamental panchabhautik composition and digestive capacity of an individual.

*The substances which are heavy (guru) to digest have predominance of [[prithvi]] and jalamahabhuta. Their overuse affects digestion and metabolism ([[agni]])[Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 5/6]. The quantity of food is determined by inherent nature of food (light or heavy to digest) based upon fundamental panchabhautik composition and digestive capacity of an individual.

*In the manifestation and differentiation of rasa (taste), jalamahabhuta is one among the fundamental source[Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 1/64]. Among the six types of tastes (rasa), sweet (madhura) and salt (lavana) have predominance of jalamahabhuta [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 26/40].These [[rasa]] are able to pacify [[vata]][[dosha]] and aggravate [[kapha]][[dosha]]. Hence, they are applied in treatment of vitiation of [[vata]][[dosha]] and depletion of [[kapha]][[dosha]] in the body.  

*In the manifestation and differentiation of taste (rasa), jalamahabhuta is one among the fundamental source[Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 1/64]. Among the six types of tastes (rasa), sweet (madhura) and salt (lavana) have predominance of jalamahabhuta [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 26/40].These [[rasa]] are able to pacify [[vata]][[dosha]] and aggravate [[kapha]][[dosha]]. Hence, they are applied in treatment of vitiation of [[vata]][[dosha]] and depletion of [[kapha]][[dosha]] in the body.  

*Medicines for therapeutic purgation (virechana) have predominance of jala and [[prithvi]]mahabhuta. Since both of these mahabhuta have heaviness as their property, it carries the dosha in downward direction [Su.Sa.Su.41/6] and thus it helps in expelling the dosha through rectal route [Cha.Sa.[[Kalpa Sthana]] 1/5].

*Medicines for therapeutic purgation (virechana) have predominance of jala and [[prithvi]]mahabhuta. Since both of these mahabhuta have heaviness as their property, it carries the dosha in downward direction [Su.Sa.Su.41/6] and thus it helps in expelling the dosha through rectal route [Cha.Sa.[[Kalpa Sthana]] 1/5].

*Drugs predominant of qualities of [[prithvi]] and ambumahabhutas are nourishing/stoutening (brimhana) in nature [Su.Sa.Su.41/6].

*Drugs predominant of qualities of [[prithvi]] and ambumahabhutas are nourishing/stoutening (brimhana) in nature [Su.Sa.Su.41/6].

==Current views and researches==

==Current views and researches==

The tanmatra(subtle) form of all mahabhuta is considered as eternal. After the formation of heat and light radiations due to collisions, the forces further may produce viscous attractions towards each other, which results in condensations. The thus formed condensation with potential of taste and viscous attractions may be considered as rasa tanmatra of apmahabhuta.<ref>Nalage D H. A study of Samskara and its role in alteration of Pancha-Bhautika composition of Dravya [MD Dissertation]. Jamnagar: Gujarat Ayurved University; 2004</ref>  

The subtle(tanmatra) form of all mahabhuta is considered as eternal. After the formation of heat and light radiations due to collisions, the forces further may produce viscous attractions towards each other, which results in condensations. The thus formed condensation with potential of taste and viscous attractions may be considered as rasa tanmatra of apmahabhuta.<ref>Nalage D H. A study of Samskara and its role in alteration of Pancha-Bhautika composition of Dravya [MD Dissertation]. Jamnagar: Gujarat Ayurved University; 2004</ref>  

In quantum physics, the spin- ½ matter field (one among the five quantum mechanical spin types of a unified quantum field theory) can be correlated with the elementary fermion particles.<ref>Sharma H. Correlation of physiological principles of Ayurveda with spin types of quantum physics. Annals Ayurvedic Med [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Apr 03];7(3-4):72-74. Available from: https://www.aamjournal.in/fulltext/70-1531160335.pdf</ref> Dr John Hagelin, leading physicist in the area of unified quantum field theory, correlates jalamahabhuta with the spin - ½ matter field.<ref>Hagelin.J. S. Is Consciousness the Unified Field? A Field Theorist’s Perspective. Modem Science and Vedic Science [Internet]. 1987 [cited 2020 Apr 03];7(1):29-87. Available from:https://www.psychicstudent.com/wp-content/uploads/hagelin.pdf</ref>  

In quantum physics, the spin- ½ matter field (one among the five quantum mechanical spin types of a unified quantum field theory) can be correlated with the elementary fermion particles.<ref>Sharma H. Correlation of physiological principles of Ayurveda with spin types of quantum physics. Annals Ayurvedic Med [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Apr 03];7(3-4):72-74. Available from: https://www.aamjournal.in/fulltext/70-1531160335.pdf</ref> Dr John Hagelin, leading physicist in the area of unified quantum field theory, correlates jalamahabhuta with the spin - ½ matter field.<ref>Hagelin.J. S. Is Consciousness the Unified Field? A Field Theorist’s Perspective. Modem Science and Vedic Science [Internet]. 1987 [cited 2020 Apr 03];7(1):29-87. Available from:https://www.psychicstudent.com/wp-content/uploads/hagelin.pdf</ref>