Panchamahabhuta - Aadharbhut Siddhant and their application in Chikitsa

[Find the meaning and references behind the names: Every, Dosha, Malik, Shri, Code, Doi, Class, India, Harmony, Human, Work, Vata, Level, Scholar, Karma, Key, Date, Normal, Mild, Siddhant, Body, Cure, Present, Show, Field, Hod, Basic, Give, Root, Part, Kusum, Data, Jala, Ama, Manner, Post, Agni, Sep, Grant, Quick, Severe, Living, Given, Prithvi, Aid, Till, Brijesh, Take, Non, Knowledge, Pita, Oja, Still, Image, Strong, Mishra, Roga, Factor, Karya]

ISSN: 2456-3110 REVIEW ARTICLE Sep-Oct 2018 Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences | Sep - Oct 2018 | Vol. 3 | Issue 5 146 Panchamahabhuta - Aadharbhut Siddhant and their application in Chikitsa Dr. Kusum Malik, 1 Dr. Brijesh Mishra 2 1 Post Graduate Scholar, 2 Professor & HOD, Department of Post Garduate Basic Principles of Ayurved and Samhita, Shri Ayurved Mahavidyalya (Govt of Maharashtra Grant in Aid), Nagpur, Maharashtra, INDIA. I NTRODUCTION Panchmahabhutas are basic principle of Ayurveda which bases the analysis and treatment based upon the principle of Panchmahabhuta .The concept of Panchmahabhuta is defined vividly and scientifically in Ayurvedic compendia. As we know everything in this universe is made up of Panchmahabhuta. There is a fundamental harmony at the macrocosm level and microcosm level and our body is a very minute image Address for correspondence: Dr. Kusum Malik Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Post Garduate Basic Principles of Ayurved and Samhita, Shri Ayurved Mahavidyalya (Govt of Maharashtra Grant In Aid), Nagpur, Maharashtra, India E-mail: drkusumalik@gmail.com Submission Date: 18/09/2018 Accepted Date: 21/10/2018 Access this article online Quick Response Code Website: www.jaims.in DOI: 10.21760/jaims.v 3 i 5.13833 of the universe. The only thing which differentiates living and non-living things is soul. Human body is also composed of Panchmahabhutas and food we eat is also Panchabhautic . When food undergoes digestion with the help of Jatharagni , Parthiv ( Prithvi Mahabhuta ) properties of food nurses the Parthiv part of body. In this manner symmetrical properties of Panchmahabhutas give nutrition to corresponding symmetrical part of body (corresponding Mahabhuta ) [3] The variation in these Panchmahabhutas will cause the symptoms of different type of diseases. Sometimes the symptoms are mild and suddenly they appear in severe form which is difficult to cure before adopting the treatment. It is important to know the Karya upto Karma i.e. Nidana till the Lakshana . Chikitsa is to be given from its root and also Karana Vishesha , Prakriti is to be considered. After studying Moulika Siddhanta of Ayurveda and continues practice in the field of it, an establishment in particular Roga Pariksha and Chikitsa was came in existence called Panchmahabhautic Chikitsa . Panchmahabhautic A B S T R A C T For true exploration and validation of Ayurveda in all its aspects, scientific inputs should confirm to Ayurveda’s basic principles and philosophy. Till date so many studies have been done for elaboration of fundamental principles like Tridosha , Dhatu , Strotas , Agni , Oja , Ama etc. No any rewarding work has been done on Panchamahabhuta Siddhanta and it is a still stalemate for us. In this perception, present attempt is enlightened on its basic concept and clinical application and its importance in Ayurveda. Ayurveda depends on the concept of Panchamahabhutas i.e. Aakaash, Vayu, Agni, Prithvi, Jala [1] The Panchmahabhut revolves around the normal functioning of the body (physiological), occurrence of disease (pathological) and action of drug in various part of the body (pharmacokinetics) [2] According to Ayurveda this holistic approach comprises five elements of nature. The food, the planets and every living and non-living things are made up of these five elements. Tridoshas ( Vata , Pita , Kapha ) also comprises Panchmahabhuta . On the basis of thorough knowledge and understanding of Panchmahabhuta Siddhanta one can take an account of the causative factor of imbalance of Doshas and thereby discover the solution for the treatment. Key words: Panchamahabhuta, Aadharbhut Siddhant, Tridoshas, Chikitsa.

[Find the meaning and references behind the names: Law, Bala, Atra, Nasa, Unique, Karna, Akasha, Matter, Main, Rasa, Next, Flood, Sense, Roopa, Speak, Place, Last, Yat, Full, Evolution, Idam, Tat, Asmin, Pitta, Rupa, Taste, Property, Roop, Short, Shown, Look, Ones]

Dr. Kusum Malik et.al. Panchamahabhuta - Aadharbhut Siddhant and their application in Chikitsa ISSN: 2456-3110 REVIEW ARTICLE Sep-Oct 2018 Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences | Sep - Oct 2018 | Vol. 3 | Issue 5 147 Chikitsa is a treatment modality pioneered by Brihattrayiratna Vaidyaraj Datarshastri. In this concept of using Panchmahabhuta as basic principle for diagnosis and treatment of any disease were used in which Bala of any one Mahabhut a can create disease. Here “ Yat Pinde Tat Bramhande” law is applied practically e.g. increase in water on earth causes flood or draught same in the body causes Madhumeha or any other disease. We generally talk in terms of Dosha , Dhatu but here we speak in language of Mahabhut as it is said “ Sarvam Idam Panchmahabhautikam Asmin Jagate”. A IM AND O BJECTIVES 1 To interpret the basic concept of Panchmahabhuta Siddhanta to its full perspective. 2 To understand this concept and utilize it thoroughly in Chikitsa . M ATERIALS AND M ETHODS Mahabhuta is the smallest part of matter, which is divisible. The various types of Mahabhutas are Akashmahabhuta, Vayumahabhuta, Agnimahabhuta, Aapamahabhuta and Prithvimahabhuta. Evolution of Panchamahabhuta Theory [3] It takes place in 3 levels a) First level : Evolution of Panchatanmatra (Subtle elements) b) Second level : Bhutantaranupravesha (Imitative pervasion) c) Third level : Panchikarana (Reciprocal pervasion) from Avyakta (indistinct), a short look up to evolution of Mahabhutas is as shown below [4] Evolution of Matter Mahabhuta is the smallest divisible part of any matter. Akasha Mahabhuta is the space without which matter cannot exist. Its main sense attribute is sound ( Shabda ) and Nonresistance ( Apratighatatva ) is its main property [5] Vayumahabhuta evolved from Aakashamahabhuta . Touch ( Sparsha ) is its chief sense attribute and as it is evolved from Aakasha it also inherits attribute of sound ( Shabda ). Chalatva or movability is its chief property. Agnimahabhuta evolves next from Vayumahabhuta . The main sense attribute of Agni is Vision ( Roopa ) and the chief property is Agni ( Ushnatva ). It also inherits the sense attributes of sound ( Shabda ) and touch ( Sparsha ) from the Akasha and Vayu Mahabhuta respectively. The next Mahabhuta to evolve from Agnimahabhuta is Aapamahabhuta ( Jalmahabhuta ). Taste ( Rasa ) is its main sense attribute and liquidity ( Dravatava ) is the chief property, along with that inherited from earlier Mahabhuta . The last to evolve is Prithvimahabhuta . Roughness ( Kharatva ) is the chief property and Smell ( Gandha ) is the main sense of this Mahabhuta besides properties inherited from the earlier once. Properties of Panchmahabhuta [6] Panchmahabhuta Tanmatra Indriya Gunas Akaash Shabda Karna Aprtighaat Vayu Sparsh Twak Chaltva Agni Roop Chakshu Usantva Prithvi Rasa Jihwa Kharatva Jala Gandh Nasa Dravtva Thorough review of literature on Panchmahabhuta is found to be beneficial for Chikitsa . Based on the Panchmahabhuta concept, people are distinguished into three categories with unique characteristics. These are Kapha , Pitta and Vata . People with Kapha characteristics have Jala and Prithvi as their predominant components. The ones with Pitta characteristics have Agni and those with Vata Avyakta Mahaan Ahankaar Panchatanm atra Panchamaha bhuta Akaash Vayu Agni Jala Prithvi

[Find the meaning and references behind the names: Element, Foods, Own, Dull, Cool, Cosmos, Rough, Aakash, Single, Hot, Slow, Channel, Diet, Ginger, Tej, Areas, Dry, Major, Smooth, Sharp, Teja, Area, Hard, Cell, Milk, Light, Heat, Empty]

Dr. Kusum Malik et.al. Panchamahabhuta - Aadharbhut Siddhant and their application in Chikitsa ISSN: 2456-3110 REVIEW ARTICLE Sep-Oct 2018 Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences | Sep - Oct 2018 | Vol. 3 | Issue 5 148 characteristics have Vayu and Aakash as their dominating components. And thus, the various functioning and structures of the body and the existence as well are very well governed by the Panchmahabutas [7] Dosha Mahabhuta Vata Vayu + Aakash Pitta Agni Kapha Jala+ Prithvi Characterstics of Panchmahabhutas [7] 1. Aakash (Ether) - Present in hollow cavities within body and empty areas of cosmos, transmits sound, non-resistant to anything, frictionless or smooth, subtle, soft and abundant. Any diet, food or herbs with similar properties will increase Aakashmahabhuta within the body. 2. Vayu (Air) - Light, Dry, Subtle, Mobile, Transparent, and Rough are the properties of Vayu . It is responsible for movement, dryness in the body. Any diet, exercise, medicine which has such properties will increase " Vata " or Vayumahabhuta in the body. 3. Agni (Fire) - It is hot, sharp, intense, dry, and light. It emits light and heat. Any food, diet, exercise, herbs which has similar properties will increase this element in our body. For example - Chillies, Ginger, Garlic, Peppers, will increase " Pitta " or Agnimahabhuta in the body. 4. Jala (Water) - Water is moist, cohesive or sticky, cool, soft and oily (unctuous). Water is present in many foods, milk and herbs as well as in our body. Excess of water increases the above mentioned characteristics in our body and decreases the opposite. Water intake is useful in diseases caused by Agni or 'Pitta and Vayu or 'Vata' . For example, acidity, skin problems, constipation, dryness, excessive breakdown or accumulation of metabolites / endotoxins. In other words it acts as detoxifying agent. 5. Prithvi (Earth) - It is solid, dense, stable, heavy, hard, dull and slow. It constitutes the solid structures in the universe and our body. Any food, exercise, herbs which have similar properties will provide nutrition, support and cause heaviness in the body. It will also improve strength and stability. Sthana Vishesha As earlier we have been described that our whole body is made up of Panchmahabhutas . Beside that in our body every Mahabhuta is dominantly residing in a particular area of the body. So we can say that every Mahabhuta have their own Sthaanvishesh in our body. That is as follows. Prithvi - Adhosakha Jala - Below Nabhi / Katipradesh Teja - Surrounding to Nabhipradesh Vayu - Above Nabhi up to Jatrupradesh Aakash - Urdhjatru Pradesh DISCUSSION The concept of Panchamahabhutas (Five elements) is the foundation of Ayurveda to understand its physiology (normal functioning), pathology (disease formation) and pharmacokinetics (movement of drug within the body). Ayurveda believes that everything in this universe is made up of Panchamahabhuta . Panchamahabhutas are earth ( Prithvi ), water ( Jala ), heat ( Agni or Tej ), air ( Vayu ) and space ( Aakash ) and collectively they are termed as Panchmahabhutas . These are the minutest elements, which constitute living and non-living matters. Everything including drugs, herbs and living beings are made of these basic elements. Every matter contains all of these Panchamahabhutas . A single cell of a living organism has combination of the five components. The earth or the Prithvimahabhuta forms the major structure of the cell. The Aapamahabhuta or the water forms the cytoplasm of the cell. The various metabolisms of the body cells are governed by the Agnimahabhuta . The space inside the cell is governed by the Aakashmahabhuta . And finally the channel through

[Find the meaning and references behind the names: Aim, Evidence, Loka, Pradhan, Acharya, Great, Under, Get, State, Table, Due, Parts, Rich, Study]

Dr. Kusum Malik et.al. Panchamahabhuta - Aadharbhut Siddhant and their application in Chikitsa ISSN: 2456-3110 REVIEW ARTICLE Sep-Oct 2018 Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences | Sep - Oct 2018 | Vol. 3 | Issue 5 149 which the waste materials and nutrients get transported in various parts of the body is given by the Aakashmahabhuta . Thus, these five components of Panchmahabhuta form the structure of the living organisms. These are basic blocks of body [2] Imbalance of these five elements in the body can cause different symptoms in accordance with attributes inherent in that or other elements which are called Gunadwandva (duality of attributes). Sharir as well as Loka is made up of Panchmahabhuta . As we earlier said that, based on Panchmahabhuta Siddhant people are distinguished in to three categories with unique characteristics these are Vata, Pitta, Kapha . People with Vata characteristic have Vayu and Aakashmahabhuta as there dominating components. Those one with Pitta have Agnimahabhuta and those with Kapha characteristics have Jala and Prithvimahabhuta as their predominating components. Clinical application of Panchamahabhutas 1 If any of these Mahabhut a gets vitiated in the body and cause the disease, than that Mahabhuta can be normalized by giving the drug and food having Mahabhuta of opposite properties than the vitiated one. As Prithvimahabhuta gets vitiated it can be treated by giving Vayu, Agni, Aakaashmahabhuta Pradhan Dravya as they comprises opposite properties of Prithvimahabhuta . As per Samanya Vishesha Siddhant, Samanya is the main cause of increase and Vishesha is the main cause of decrease. So opposite Chikitsa of the every Mahabhuta as we discussed can be like this as shown in table [8] Mahabhuta Chikitsa Mahabhuta Opposite Mahabhuta Aaakaash Prithvi + Jala Vayu Prithvi + Jala Agni Prithvi + Jala Prithvi Aakaash + Vayu + Agni Jala Aakaash + Vayu + Agni 2 Dhatusamyata (Equillibrium state of dhatus ): is the ultimate aim of our Ayurvedic science. According to Acharya Charaka principle of Samanyam (similarity) helps in increasing degraded similar Dhatus in body and when there is Dhatuvriddhi condition we have to use Vishesha Dravyas (opposite substances) in treatment. To fulfill this purpose we must know the Panchabhautic composition of therapeutic substances. 3 Tridosha Prakopa and Prashman (Vitiation and alleviation of humors): According to great Acharya Sushruta, Vata, Pitta and Kapha are the main factors for the initiation of all pathogenesis inside the body, because of having their symptoms, their subsidence and scriptural evidence. As the entire universe is Panchabhautic , the entire disorders present in different forms do not exist without Tridoshas . These variations are due to difference in Panchabhautic composition of Doshas . Dravyas composed of Prithvi , Agni and Jalamahabhuta helps in alleviation of Vatadosha ; Dravyas having dominancy in Prithvi, Jala and Vayumahabhuta alleviates Pitta Dosha and Dravyas having predominance in Aakash, Agni and Vayu Mahabhutas reduces Kapha Dosha . Dravyas which are rich in Aakash, Vayumahabhuta violates Vata Dosha, Agni Mahabhuta predominant Dravyas creates Pitta Prakopa (Increases Pitta ) while Prithvi and Jalamahabhuta predominant Dravyas aggravates Kapha . In this way all Dravyas are having different composition of Mahabhuta properties. So by seeking accurate knowledge of properties of Mahabhutas one can apply these in to Chikitsa [3] CONCLUSION Under the present circumstances Ayurvedic approach for etiopathogensis would be of great use. The fruitful conclusions, which have automatically emerged through the discussion of the conceptual review study, are being presented here. Panchmahabhutas

[Find the meaning and references behind the names: Nagarjuna, New, Bharati, Cite, Sci, Dinesh, Base, Senses, Size, Deep, Plays, Logic, Nil, Med, Role, Dipika, Proper, Quality, None]

Dr. Kusum Malik et.al. Panchamahabhuta - Aadharbhut Siddhant and their application in Chikitsa ISSN: 2456-3110 REVIEW ARTICLE Sep-Oct 2018 Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences | Sep - Oct 2018 | Vol. 3 | Issue 5 150 are basic elements of the body. Imbalance of these five elements in the human body can cause different symptoms in accordance with characteristics or attributes inherent in that or other element, which are called Gunadwandva (duality of attributes). Shareera as well as the Loka is made up of Panchmahabhuta . Intake of Prithvipradhana and Jalapradhana Dravya will increase the same quality in the Shareera . As per the Samanya Vishesha Siddhanta, Samanya is the main cause for the increase and Vishesha is the cause of decrease. Hence treatment protocol should be according to Panchmahabhuta dominance in body . And we can say that Panchmahabhuta Siddhanta plays an important role in Chikitsa . All the available Dravyas can be used as medicine but it requires proper logic ( Yukti) , also this is possible only after deep understanding of Panchamahabhutas as it forms the foundation base of all other Siddhantas (principles). The concept of Panchamahabhuta principle is peculiarity of Ayurveda. Though, Ayurveda is having similar views with Darshanashastras like Vaisheshika, Sankhya etc. in many aspects, but the concept of Panchamahabhutas in Ayurveda is molded in such a way that, it becomes helpful in Nidana and Chikitsa , thereby fulfilling its aim of Dhatusamya. Mahabhuta dominance of a Panchabhautic Dravya can be detected, but it is not possible to understand or predict the configuration of Mahabhutas , shapes and size of Mahabhuta - molecules due to limitations of human senses and intelligence. So in this regards the present review article also opens a new research window in the field of Ayurvedic fundamental research on this Siddhanta . REFERENCES 1 Agnivesha. “Charaka Samhita”, Revised by Charaka and Dridhabala with the Ayurvedadipika commentary of Chakrapanidatta, edited by Yadavji Trikamji Acharya. Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, Varanasi, Reprint, 2009, Sharira 1/27, Pg. 807. 2 http://bestonhealth.com/introduction-toayurveda/panchmahabhuta-theory 3 Dinesh PrakashTodkar, G.S.Lavekar, Critical Appraisal of Panchmahabhuta Siddhanta, IAMJ (International Ayurvedic Medical Journal),Volume.3,issue 5,May- 2015,ISSN:2320 5091. 4 Sushruta. Sushruta Samhita, Revised by Nagarjuna with the Nibandha Sangraha commentary of Dalhana, edited by Yadavji Trikamji Acharya.Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia, Ed. reprint, 2002, sharirsathaan 1/7. 5 Agnivesha. “Charaka Samhita”, Revised by Charaka and Dridhabala with the Ayurveda dipika commentary of Chakrapanidatta, edited by Yadavji Trikamji Acharya. Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, Varanasi, reprint, 2009, Sharir 1/29, Pg. 808. 6 Agnivesha. “Charaka Samhita”, Revised by Charaka and Dridhabala with the Ayurveda dipika commentary of Chakrapanidatta, edited by Yadavji Trikamji Acharya. Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, Varanasi, reprint, 2009, Sharir 1/28, Pg. 808. 7 http://www.planetayurveda.com/panchmahabhutaconcept.html ******************************* How to cite this article: Dr. Kusum Malik, Dr. Brijesh Mishra. Panchamahabhuta - Aadharbhut Siddhant and their application in Chikitsa. J Ayurveda Integr Med Sci 2018;5:146-150. http://dx.doi.org/10.21760/jaims.v 3 i 5.13833 Source of Support: Nil, Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Other Health Sciences Concepts:

[back to top]

Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Panchamahabhuta - Aadharbhut Siddhant and their application in Chikitsa’. Further sources in the context of Health Sciences might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:

Karma, Lakshana, Siddhanta, Dhatu, Dosha, Indriya, Samhita, Maha, Nidana, Samkhya, Vayu, Bala, Oja, Agni, Dravya, Guna, Sharir, Ayurveda, Vata, Pitta, Kapha, Mahabhuta, Prakriti, Samanya, Vishesha, Vaisheshika, Ama, Jala, Teja, Prithvi, Jatharagni, Tridosha, Yukti, Prakopa, Avyakta, Karya, Pittaprakopa, Panchamahabhuta, Chikitsa, Dhatusamya, Panchatanmatra, Vatadosha, Kaphadosha, Strota, Dhatuvriddhi, Sthanavishesha, Rogapariksha, Vision, Subtle element, Liquidity, Dosha Prakopa, Dhatusamyata, Panchamahabhuta theory, Samanya Vishesha Siddhant, Shareera, Panchamahabhuta Siddhanta, Roughness, Aakash.