In the sequence of the universal evolution, space(akaash),
air(vayu), fire (tejas), water (apa) and earth(prithvi) are the five elements
of nature. The vast universe has been crafted through the evolution of these
elements in different combinations. In Sanskrit, the ancient language of India,
these 5 elements are termed as Panchatattva – ‘pancha’ meaning five and
‘tattva’ meaning elements. The knowledge of these elements helps us in
understanding the laws of nature as well as the structure of our body. The natural
order of the elements in the body are: Earth and water are at the base, below
the navel, fire is in the middle of the torso; air and space reside in the
upper body. We as human beings have understood the elements in their physical
forms. But apart from having the physical knowledge of the elements, the
elements have certain psychological attributes. Perceived closely the elements
of nature demonstrate the wisdom for healthy living.
The element of earth or prithvi
holds things together. Earth’s innate nature is to support the human and
non-human species of the environment which proves to be a signifier of
strength, stability, balance, calmness, grounding, resilience and confidence.
The element of water or apa is a lifesaver, a giver of pleasures. Water flows
freely, but is our mind free from chaos?? When a man is born he is free, but
when he dies he acquires a lot of rigidity on the way. He loses his fluidity,
his freedom, his free-flowing ness and becomes bound by the chains of his own
thought. This demonstrates that whatever is flexible and flowing will tend to
grow and become strong. The great Chinese Philosopher Lao Tzu once said
“Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it”,
which demonstrates that a freely flowing mind is a strong mind.
The element of fire or tejas burns
anything that comes in contact with it. The way in which we perceive this
characteristic of burning is completely in our hands. Swami Vivekananda asserts
that “The same fire that cooks a meal for us may burn a child and it is not
fault of the fire if it does so; the difference lies in the way in which it is
used.” For a healthy life it is very necessary to burn the impurities present
in our thoughts. Impure thoughts arise but it is in our hands how we deal with
them. With the fire of our daily exercises like yoga, meditation etc. we can
burn all our impure thoughts.
In the eyes of a deep and profound
philosophical system named Sankhya-Yoga, air or vayu is characterized as an
element that always moves in the upward direction. Rising high is one of the
main features of this fourth element. Life is like a see-saw. We do have our
ups and downs, but rising well after a fall makes one a stronger human being.
It is not important how many times you fall in life but it is of utmost
significance how well you rise up and march forward which makes all the
difference in life. Water, fire and air are the most commonly used elements to
purify the body-mind. Space or akasha, I would say, is not an element but a
complete philosophy of life. Space is huge, limitless, free, boundless, without
any ego, it encompasses the entire existence. The difficulty appears when we
fail to apply the unlimited capacity correctly. The first correct application
of this infinite capacity is to function in an unselfish manner in life. The
more you are generous, the more you encompass things, the more your mind
becomes free, unrestricted and thereby silent.
These are significant teachings
which modern man acquires from the elemental existence. Existence teaches us
the wisdom of life because “the entire existence is divine” - an ideology
exhorted in the Isha Upanishad.
