Ayurveda
Ayurveda is the Vedic wisdom of life tells us about five elements. Five principles of matter.
The five elements of Ayurvedic physics are related to ancient Vedic understanding of cosmology and energy.
Prakriti and Purusha
The five elements of Ayurvedic physics are related to ancient Vedic understanding of cosmology and energy.
These are the principles of the nature, of the Prakriti. Prakriti refers to nature, to the world of experience. Purusha refers to the realm of divinity, or transcendental consciousness. Everything in the world of experiences is a part of Prakriti and composed of these five principles. Every object, every living being, and every human being is composed of these five elements. What makes us all different is the composition amounts of these principles.
We have all five elements in our bodies. Even if we do not have the chemical element earth in our bodies. We don’t have any soil in our bodies yes, but the element of earth is there. Our bones are filled with inertia, and solidity so the bones are saturated with the energy of the earth element.
1
AKASHA
(SPACE)
Ether represents empty space in the absence of anything. The ether is just space. According to Vedic cosmology, there was ether before the other elements. It is where everything happens. It is the medium where sound travels. It’s the medium where energy travels without any resistance.
In yoga tradition the sound and vibration is very important. Everything has a vibration. This is also a scientific claim. The atomic particles vibrate. All physical beings, humans, animals, plants also objects are composed of the vibrating atomic particles. Sound also travels in waves. Different sounds have different frequencies. The words have unique vibrations according to how they are uttered. Our emotional states and our intentions effect our voice. Space is associated with the principle of pervasiveness in Ayurveda. Sense organ related to this element is the ability to hear.
2
VAYU
(AIR)
Sometimes it is referred as the wind. The literal translation of the word is movement. Air is the second element that comes to being from ether.
First there was ether. Then the vibrations in the space give rise to the movement and so there was air. Vayu (air) represents the principle of movement in Ayurveda.
What properties would you associate with the element of air? What is the effect of air on other things? It moves, it makes things move even fly, it makes things dry. Wind clears up the air and also makes it cold. We can feel the wind with the sense of touch, we can also hear its sound. The energetic properties of this element are dry, cold, light, rough. Sense organ is touch.
3
AGNI
(FIRE)
From ether and air, fire comes into existence. The movements of air in ether creates friction and heat, so we get fire.
The main aspect of fire is transformation. When lit a candle it melts the candle burns the rope. When you cook a meal, its taste and its texture changes. When you burn incents, you get the beautiful smelling vapor.
Fire contains the energy of transformation. This is why in Ayurveda the power of digestion is called digestive fire. Digestion transforms food and emotions. Fire element is associated with the principle of radiance. This is the first visible element. So it is associated with the sense of sight.
4
JALA
(WATER)
This is the forth elements that comes into existence out of previous three elements. As the fire causes the air to get dense we get the element water. This is the first element that we can taste. Water element is associated with principle of cohesion. When you put something in water it wraps around. It also dilutes makes things less saturated or dissolves things.
Water element is associated with the sense of taste. Our bodily fluids, like the blood, fluids in joints, are governed by the water element. Think about water. Which properties would you attribute to water? It is liquid. It also makes things slide, it is oily. It has cooling and calming effect, so it is soft and cold. Sense organ connected with this element is taste.
5
PRITHIVI
(EARTH)
With addition of the cosmic dust to the mix of other four elements we get the element earth.
This is the element that comes with the sense of smell. The sense of smell is closely associated with our survival issues.
Earth element is related with the principle of inertia. Inertia is the resistance to movement. Clearly this is the densest element and the most stable one. In comparison to other four elements this is the hardest, heaviest element.
5 elements and 3 dosha
SPACE
• Light
• Cold
• Dry
• Subtle
• Light
AIR
• Light
• Cold
• Dry
• Rough
• Mobile
FIRE
• Light
• Mobile
• Hot
• Oily
• Dry
• Liquid
WATER
• Heavy
• Cold
• Slimy
• Liquid
• Soft
EARTH
• Heavy
• Cold
• Slow
• Oily
• Dense
• Hard
• Gross
• Static
• Cloudy
VATA
VATA
PITTA
KAPHA
PITTA
KAPHA
• Light
• Cold
• Dry
• Subtle
• Light
• Light
• Cold
• Dry
• Rough
• Mobile
• Light
• Mobile
• Hot
• Oily
• Dry
• Liquid
• Heavy
• Cold
• Slimy
• Liquid
• Soft
• Heavy
• Cold
• Soft
• Oily
• Dense
• Hard
• Gross
• Static
• Cloudy
Vata Pitta Kapha
The three doshas are sometimes translated as the three “humors” of the mind, body, and spirit. They are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha and they can best be explained using the theory of Panchamahabhutas, or five elements: Space, Air, Fire, Water, and Earth which one I explained above.
VATA
Creator
This is the dosha responsible for movement, flexibility and creativity. Vata is what will circulate the blood, move nutrients within the body, move the waste out of the body, and control respiration. It is also the dosha that fosters creativity and vitality. The flow of the breath, the pulsation of the heart, all muscle contractions, tissue movements, cellular mobility—and communication throughout the mind and the nervous system.
When Vata is elevated at any point, that would lead to the increase in one or more of those characteristic gunas. For example, aggravated Vata could lead to more dry and rough qualtiy would could appear as dry and cracked skin. Also, if circulation in the body is poor due to poor Vata, then one can experience delayed bowel movements which would lead to constipation, a common Vata issue.
When Vata dosha falls out of balance it is easy to become overwhelmed by stress and anxiety, very emotional.
Archetypes of Vata:
– Light bones and muscles, irregularity (irregular ears or teeth).
– Cool skin, pale, cold hands and feet.
– Eat fast, moves fast, talk fast.
– Hard to gain weight, easy to lose.
– Variable digestion, ofter able to do not feel the hunger.
– Barely touching the earth, tendency to “flying away”, great imagination.
Mental & Emotional Personality:
– Career examples: artists, musicians, dancers, artists, writers, poets, flying assistants.
– Enthusiastic, social, creative.
– Likes variety; adaptable; travel.
– Learns quickly, forgets quickly, needs lists/reminders.
PITTA
Transformer
COLD
HEAVY
SLIMY
LIQUID
MOBILE
OILY
gunas – qualities
Pitta represents the energy of transformation. Pitta is closely related to intelligence, understanding, and the digestion of foods, thoughts, emotions, and experiences. This is the dosha that is responsible for analysis, metabolism, digestion, absorption, assimilation, liver enzymes, and gives the blood and skin its colour. Pitta will control our visual perception and comprehension.
An imbalance in Pitta could result in a rash on the skin since Pitta is made up of fire which in excess can lead to inflammation. Or excess fire in the digestion could lead to nausea and vomiting.
Pitta is the fiery-nature within you that is high-achieving and goal-oriented. Like any fire, we want to make sure your inner fire is strong but under control. Pitta easily get angry or shout but few minutes later can be the most friendly person and forgot about anger. When Pitta is hungry they angry, so always feed a Pitta person on time.
Archetype of Pitta:
– Medium size, frame and musculature; warm skin.
– Oily reddish skin, fine oily hair, light-sensitive eyes, intense gaze.
– Easy to gain weight and easy to lose.
– Strong appetite and digestion.
– Steady hormones.
– Sharp, clear voice; walks with intention and confidence.
– Good complexion.
Mental & Emotional Personality:
– Organized; focused; disciplined.
– Competitive, goal-oriented.
– Courageous, inspiring, passionate.
– Learns quickly, good memory, high intelligent.
– Career examples: activists, leaders, CEOs, managers.
– Sharp memory, good comprehension.
– Speaks in bullet points, to the point, concise.
KAPHA
Protector
GROSS
COLD
HEAVY
SLOW
OILY
LIQUID
HARD
SLIMY
DENSE
SOFT
STATIC
CLOUDY
gunas – qualities
The earth element is what is needed for us to build the structure and muscle. The water element in kapha leads to lubrication of the joints as well as salivary excretions. Kapha is also responsible for stability and for holding emotions.
Kapha also embodies the watery energies of love and compassion. This dosha hydrates all cells and systems, lubricates the joints, moisturizes the skin, maintains immunity, and protects the tissues.
When Kapha is in balance then showing qualities as: loving, caring, gifting.
When kapha is out of balance then could lead to weight gain, obesity, diabetes, swelling, possessiveness, laziness, attachment and excessive sleep.
Archetype of Kapha:
– Broad frame, strong bones and muscles, curvy.
– Physical strength and endurance.
– Smooth, cool skin; thick, wavy hair; large, bright, watery and big eyes.
– Easy to gain weight, difficult to lose weight.
– Steady, sometimes slow digestion, okay with just a couple meals a day.
– Walks slowly, low booming voice, talks leisurely.
– Strong immune system.
Mental & Emotional Personality:
– Loves routine and structure (same workplace, same holiday place, same day for doing laundry).
– Steady, dependable, predictable, calm, loyal, true to their word even by their own cost.
– Generous, compassionate, caring.
– Learns very slowly but remembers forever.
– Career examples: social workers, nannies, kindergarten teachers, caretakers, nurse.
End note
There is no one good or bad dosha, we are very individual and we may have all of them at all times and need them for healthy functions of the mind, body, and spirit. Our responsibility is to maintain the balance of each dosha. Our path to wellness and happiness involves getting these doshas back to balance so that the pure essence of each of us can shine in an ecstatic way through and we can be creative, vibrant, and grounded versions of ourselves. Our happiness and vibrant energy might be contagious.