Panchabootas

Among Panchabhootas, Akasha tatva is the first creation of the supreme divine, without which nothing else can be created. It is the highest and most spiritual of all tatvas. It is the only eternal tatva because it has no limits and is unending and infinite or Anantha. The element Akasha, which is translated as space or ether, is responsible for the perception of sound by the sense-organ ear. Therefore, Akasha or space is considered to be the conveyor of sound. Jupiter or Brihaspati is the planet connected to this sense.

Vaayu is a Sanskrit word that means “to blow”.Vaayu tatva is the fundamental element for our survival and thus as a life supporting element, it is a powerful tatva. This element relates to our sense of touch or Sparsha. It also represents movement. Vaayu tatva is also related to the physical aspect of breathing i.e. the pulmonary system and movement of air in stomach and bowel in the intestinal systems. Air is associated with Vaayu – the wind god and the controlling planet for this tatva is Saturn or Shani Graha.

Agni is also a Sanskrit word that means fire. Fire is considered a form without substance. Fire has a special significance in the Vedic philosophies. It is the most sacred of physical forces, and believed to be capable of purifying any substance into a more refined form. Fire signifies temperature and warmth and temperature can change solids into liquids and liquids to gas and also it can convert gas to liquid and solid state. What we refer to as coldness is just the absence of heat, so it’s nothing but Agni tatva or lack of it. In terms of human senses the fire element corresponds to the most important of the senses that of sight or Roopa. Sun, the primary source of life and energy is also associated with this element. The planet associated with this tatva is Mars or Mangala Graha.

Apas tatva is commonly known as Jala tatva.

Ap is the Vedic Sanskrit term for “water”, occurring only in the plural form, āpas.
It corresponds to the liquid forms of matter that are characterized by fluidity. It is linked to our sense of Rasa (taste). Quantitatively, it is the largest of the five elements, as more than 80% of our body and two-third of earth’s surface is made up of water. Water is essential for the existence of all life forms. Movement of fluids between our cells thus transporting energy, carrying away wastes and regulating temperature are all functions of Jala tatva. We can associate Jala tatva with bile, blood, sweat, phlegm, tears, urine and other fluids in our body.

Water is considered to be a feminine element signifying emotions, feelings. In the days when rivers were great highways of trade and the banks ideal settlement points, the Jala tatva came to represent prosperity. Thus Jala tatva like Vaayu tatva is associated with movement. Venus or Shukra Graha controls Jala tatva.

Pruthvi and Bhoomi are Sanskrit words that mean Earth. Earth is the final element and is the most solid of all. Earth is the only element that is connected to all the five senses of the human body – the sense of taste, touch, sound, smell and sight. This is the reason why it influences us the most. Its main characteristic though is Gandha or smell. Bhoomi tatva manifests stability, permanence and rigidity. In our body, the parts such as Bones, teeth, nails, skin and tissues etc represent Pruthvi tatva. The planet that controls Bhoomi tatva is Mercury or budha Graha.

Even in our hand, each finger represents one tatva. The thumb represents Agni tatva, the index finger represents Vaayu tatva, the middle finger represents the most revered tatva-the Akasha tatva, the ring finger symbolizes Bhoomi tatva and the little finger symbolizes Jala tatva.Mudras used in Yoga that work on the nerve endings of our body in a way similar to acupressure, are based on this principle.

The value of the Panchabhootas is as secretive as it is transparent. It’s as simple as it appears complex. It’s as sacred as it is almost nonexistent. Just as the potter brings together the earth, water, air & fire to create a pot with a space (ether) of its own, god creates human beings.

There are 5 temples of lord Shiva which represent the five elements of nature. All these temples are located in South India with four of these temples at Tamil Nadu and one at Andhra Pradesh.

The first of the 5 five temples where lord Shiva is worshipped as Akasha is located in Chidambaram. Here empty space is worshipped as Shiva to signify God is beyond human comprehension stressing the belief that there is everything in nothing.

In Kalahasti lord Shiva is worshipped as Vaayu. Here the Linga is “Swayambhu” and considered to be in the form of Vaayu. In this temple, there is a lamp burning inside the inner sanctum which has no windows. The lamp constantly flickers despite the lack of air movement inside. It is believed that the flame flickers because of air being emanated constantly from the Lingam.

In Tiruvannamalai temple, Shiva is said to have manifested himself in the form of massive column of fire, whose crown and feet cannot be found. A celebration of this manifestation is seen even today in the age old traditions observed during the festivals of Shivarathri. Agni Lingam exaggerates values of duty, virtue and self-sacrifice.

In the Jambukeshwaram temple, the Shiva lingam which manifests Jala tatva is under a holy Jambu tree submerged under an underground stream of water.

Finally in Kanchipuram, the Shiva lingam is worshipped as Bhoomi or Pruthvi. The temple has one of the tallest temple tower or gopura. It is at a height of 58 meters. Therefore the five elements are believed to be enshrined in the five lingams in five temples spread across South India.

Considering Panchabhootas in a totally new dimension of Vaasthu where each of the 5 bhootas signify a direction and form the basis of Vaasthu. Vaasthu Shastra is a very old Indian science of architecture. Ancient Indian sages and rishis created Vaasthu Shastra for the welfare of the entire humanity. It enables us to get mental peace, health and wealth among other benefits.

5 Panchabhootas and its relation with Vaasthu:
Akasha tatva is the space in the centre of the architectural form or in the centre of each room. This space is called the Brahmasthana. This area of the house has to be kept open and clean. It should be clear of clutter, heavy furniture and fussy decoration allowing prana (energy) to flow freely. The direction associated with Akasha tatva is Centre and North-East, the Brahmasthana should ideally be located in such a way that light from a natural source like sun falls in the centre. The rooms to be located in the North-East and centre of a house are meditation or pooja room, library or study room.

Vaayu tatva is associated with North-West part of the house. Vaasthu recommends this direction for the placement of doors, windows, ventilators and balconies. A free flow of fresh air itself is an important feature too, and attention paid to the northwest is said to ensure success in business ventures.

The direction associated to Agni tatva is South-East. Geysers, fireplace and kitchen should be located in this direction. So care has to be taken about the South-East direction. It is ideal to have the electrical gadgets like television, refrigerator, computer, fire-place, microwaves, radio etc placed in this corner.

In Vaasthu the Jala tatva has much in common with Vaayu tatva. So much so that they share the northwestern direction. In the home water is represented not just by the systems of plumbing and drainage but also with reflective surfaces such as windows and mirrors. Vaasthu rightly determines the placement of water sources, like wells, bore wells, underground water tank, overhead water tank, etc, while planning any building, to draw the maximum benefits.

Finally Bhoomi tatva is associated with the South-West direction. Heaviness is linked with Pruthvi tatva and this is one of the reasons for locating the heaviest items of furniture in the south-west quadrant. Also the inertness of the Pruthvi tatva makes this part of the building perfect for sleeping. Pruthvi tatva stands for stability of mind and body and also health of the inhabitants. Therefore this segment of a house is most suited to the construction of Master bedroom and storage spaces.

Same concept of five tatvas or five compounds has been adopted by many philosophies and cultures such as the Chinese, Japanese, Greek and civilizations like Egypt, Babylonia etc.We must be proud of our ancient knowledge that has been adopted by others.