Here's an interesting compilation of information on the
concept of 5 elements:
The 5 elements :
The outside is inside all of us.
When we look to
the beauty of nature, we find that five elements provide the foundation for the
entire physical world. Ayurveda recognizes these elements–Space, Air, Fire,
Water, and Earth—as the building blocks of all material existence.
Whether walking
headfirst into a gale of wind or digging our hands into the soil, we possess an
inherent familiarity with the elements. All organic and inorganic substances
are combinations of these elements, be it a time-polished rock or a shiny piece
of plastic. Every object is unique because it contains a varying ratio of the
five elements.
Ayurveda also
observes the five elements within the human body. We nourish ourselves with
foods from the Earth, and eventually, our body returns to the earthly matter from
which it came. Water is our life-sustaining nectar, making up more than 70
percent of our total body mass. Fire provides the body with heat and radiant
energy and exists within all metabolic and chemical actions. Air flows freely
throughout the body, giving movement to biological functions and feeding every
cell with oxygen. Space is ever-present, humbly residing in the background,
providing the other elements with an opportunity to interact in this way.
From an Ayurvedic
perspective, the Water element encompasses more than the substance we call
water. It also embodies the physical qualities, biological functions, and
energetic properties of this element. For example, Water is liquid, heavy,
soft, and cohesive. It governs all bodily fluids and is necessary for chemical
reactions to take place in nature. On the subtler levels of the mind and
emotions, Water relates to a calm personality and promotes love, compassion,
and contentment.
The Five Elements
explain why substances of the natural world are harmonious with the human body.
We easily utilize plants, herbs, minerals, and water, because these substances
are the same in composition and character to our own underlying make-up.
(Ref.:
http://www.eattasteheal.com/Ayurveda101/ETH_5elements.htm)
Seven chakras in
our body:
In the philosophy
of the seven chakras there are correspondences to the five elements as shared
by both Hinduism and Buddhism as well as two other elements:
Sahasrara
(Crown): Thought/Space
Ajña (Third
Eye): Light/Dark
Vishuddhi
(Throat): Ether/Sound
Anahata
(Heart): Air
Manipura
(Navel): Fire
Svadhisthana
(Sacral): Water
Muladhara
(Root): Earth
(Ref.:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puja_(Hinduism))
When the Five
Elements are in balance, we are able to function at our highest level as human
beings. To create this balance, there are ancient Indian mantras - sacred
vibrations - for each element, as well as practical easy-to-use techniques that
we can use daily. We can learn how to build homes and create spaces in
alignment with the Five Elements through the ancient Indian science of
'Vaastu'. When we follow correct Vaastu principles, we are living physically in
harmony with nature and, in turn, our lives will be filled with happiness and
success. Knowledge of the Five Elements is essential in order to lead happy and
healthy lives. By understanding the positive and negative aspects of each
element, we can tune our minds, heart and souls to use each element in the most
effective way. The first rule of thumb is that we cannot dominate the Five
Elements; instead, we have to surrender to the elements and respect them.
Fire - or the sun
- is the great generator for all creation to happen. The early morning sun can
heal many diseases and depression. If you have east-facing windows in your
home, open them at sunrise, letting in as much of the early morning light as
possible.
If the sunrise
rays can touch your body, you are a very lucky person!
Witnessing a
sacred Fire ceremony can also bring your soul huge blessings and protection.
When we chant the Fire mantra, we are purifying our body and soul from negative
karmas.
The Fire can bring
the highest positive energy, prosperity and fulfill our heart's desires.
The Sky is
unlimited. By chanting the Sky mantra, we can develop our 6th sense, connect to
the angels and receive the highest self-healing power.
Through the Sky
mantra, we can heal our addictions, heartbreak, and depression. We can make our
soul like a magnet to attract the highest healing vibrations.
Through the Sky
mantra, we can also connect to all of Creation because it encompasses all.
The Water element
is a huge force of life. There are perfect cycles of Water flowing throughout
the planet. Water is of a nurturing energy, but when out of balance, tsunamis,
hurricanes, and floods can occur. When we take a bath, or go swimming, our body
naturally relaxes very quickly. Water pulls out negativity, balances our
emotions, and makes our minds calm and focused. Water easily holds energy. For
example, if we recite the Water mantra while drinking water, the water becomes
charged with the highest healing vibrations. The delicacy of nature can be
observed through water's sensitivity to people's thoughts, feelings and
emotions. The Water element can be used for helping people with all types of
psychiatric problems, body pains and depression.
The Air element is
our most basic connection to life. Our body can only survive if we breathe.
Through the air, we can receive powerful cosmic energy. Wind can be soft and
gentle or wild and destructive. Generally, the winds in the high mountains are
very powerful to our soul, whereas the desert winds have a negative quality. If
there is no plant life, the wind can bring destructive energies. Where there is
life, the winds can be healing, bringing angelic energy and light, especially
to those meditating in the nature. When we have the Air element under our
control, our minds are peaceful and controlled. By mastering the mind, we gain
the capacity to handle all the other elements and use those energies to the
best advantage. In this western world, controlling our thoughts is the most
difficult thing, and yet the most important, to our well-being.
To stay balanced,
it is important to spend some time every week with nature and maintain a place
of inner silence. We can use the power of our thoughts and minds to heal
ourselves and others. Chanting the sacred element mantras is like tuning into
perfect radio frequencies, purifying our souls and opening us up to the divine
rhythm of nature.
(Ref.:
http://www.purecalma.com/elements.html)
Architecture
(Vastu Shastra):
According to vastu
sastra, the world comprises five basic elements known as the pancha maha
bhoota. Out of the eight planets, ours has life because of the presence and
balance of these five elements. The five elements are as follows.
EARTH (Bhumi) -
Earth, the third planet in order from the sun, is a big magnet with North and
South poles as centers of attractions. Its magnetic field and gravitational
force has considerable effects on everything on the Earth, living and
non-living.
WATER (Jala) -
This is represented by rain, river, sea and is in the form of liquid, solid
(ice) and gas (steam, cloud). It forms part of every plant and animal. Our
blood is nothing but water with haemoglobin and oxygen.
AIR (Vayu) - As a
life supporting element, air is a very powerful life source. Human physical
comfort values are directly and sensitively dependent on correct humidity, air
flow, temperature of air, air pressure, air composition and its content.
FIRE (Agni) -
Represents light and heat which account for day, night, the seasons, energy,
enthusiasm, passion and vigour.
SPACE (Akasha) -
The akasha provides shelter to all the above elements. It is also considered
the primary conductor of all energy sources within the universal context - physical
energies such as sound and light, social energies such as psychological and
emotional, and cognitive energies such as intellect and intuition.
There is an
invisible and constant relation between all the five elements. Thus, the person
can improve their conditions by properly designing their buildings by
understanding the effectiveness of these five natural forces. Vaastu sastra
combines all the five elements of nature and balances them with the person and
the material. It takes advantage of the benefits bestowed by the five elements
of nature to create a congenial living and working environment thereby
facilitating spiritual well-being and paving the way for enhanced health,
wealth, prosperity and happiness.
(Ref.:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vastu_Shastra)
As per Vastu the
prayer room should be in the North east quadrant of the house.
ISHANYA
(NORTH-EAST): The angle that lies midway between north and the east is known as
Ishanya (north-east) direction. Shiv is the lord of this angle. Pashupat is the
weapon of Shiv. Nakshatra Ardra is the symbol of Lord Shiv. Semul (silk-cotton)
tree is considered auspicious in this direction.
Worshipping of
ruling God of this direction yields many virtues in the life of the worshipper.
Portion of the house in this direction must be kept holy for it yields many
kinds of divine powers to the owner. Proper utilization of this portion of
house provides wealth, reputation, property and every kind of excellence for
the owner. A faulty utilization of this angle, however, may block successful
continuation of progeny.
(Ref.:
http://www.solutionastrology.com/rajkumarsharma/Vastushastra.asp)
The Direction'
plays an important part in human life. The North and the East are called 'Deva
Disha'. Heavenly forces flow from these directions, while the south and the
west are known as 'Daitya Disha' (Demonic Direction).
Demonic forces
flow from these directions. The energy flow from the north and the east brings
peace, progress, stability, happiness, well-being, and long-life. The flow from
the south and the west, however, brings about events leadings to difference of
opinion, cruelty, sorrow, imperfection & illness.
The study of the
system which helps to get blessings of the Lord and at the same time protect us
from the demonic forces, which helps to get blessings of the lord and at the
same time protect us from the forces, in the house we live in, is know as
Vastushastra, It must be remembered that every article in nature is created
from the five basic elements and it eventually merges itself with nature. Human body is an artistic work of the five
basic elements in the Universe. The bones & the skin in the body are a
symbol of the earth element. Blood represents the quintessence of water. We
breathe every moment. Breathing means inhaling the oxygen and exhaling the
carbon dioxide. It means that we have element of air in our body. Every
movement of our body is a manifestation of energy. It is present in our body in
the form calories which represent the element of fire.
The element of sky
is present in the body, in the from of cavities. For example the cavity in the
mouth, nose and ear, there are cavities of special nature in the heart, the
lungs, stomach & intestines. These cavities represent the sky element.
When a man dies, his perishable body is either cremated or buried. The flesh
and bones which represent the earth element turn into ash. Nature absorbs the
Air, Fire, and energy body.
The element sky
absorbs the cavities in itself. The blood merges with water elements in the
from of vapors. And in the end the bones and the ash, when immersed in water,
eventually merges fully with nature. This only means that our body is
completely merged with the nature. It is also understood as the merger of the
body in the five basic elements of the Universe. If we study each & every article
needed for building a house, it will be found that each article is related to
the five basic elements of the Universe. For example:
Brick: An
important component made by mixing soil, and water, dried with the help of air
and fire. It is made on the surface of the earth under the canopy of the sky.
Iron: It is taken out from the Ore. It is treated
with fire, air, water so as to make it pure. It is also made under the canopy
of the sky.
Cement: It is made
after; bauxite and gypsum, related to earth are cleaned with water, baked in
fire, cooled with water. The process takes place under canopy of sky. Since ancient times, there is the concept of
'from the soul to the Universe' in our spiritual literature. When we study the
relations between human life and nature from the point of view of Vastushastra,
we find that this concept is accurately true. Human body is created from the
five basic elements in the Universe. Our body is the abode for the soul.
Our building or
Vastu is the dwelling place of the body. This building dwells element in
nature. It is an integral part nature. Nature is occupied by the five basic
element of the Universe. It means that the dwelling place (vastu) of the body
comes between the human body and nature. The exchange of energy between human
body and nature is an integral part of the nature phenomena. It is the building
which comes in between nature and man. This building id also made up of the
five basic elements in the Universe. It is, therefore, necessary to keep a
balance between the exchange of energy between man and nature. To ensure the
right balance, it is necessary to locate these five elements in the building
appropriately. So that exchange of energy between the human-body and the nature
is attuned perfectly. As a result of this, the inhabitants of the buildings are
bestowed with the benefits of Mother Nature energy.
In short the
exchange of energy between the body, the buildings and the nature is extremely
necessary. It is therefore, imperative that we achieve the balance between the
five elements in the Universe the eight directions. It is only after this
balance is achieved that we will experience the power of the nature .it is for
this very reason that the philosophy, 'from soul to the Universe' is
significant from the point of view of the Vastushastra.
(Ref.:
http://in.iproperty.com/real-estate/Vastu/FengShui/the-direction-of-houses-in-vastu-plays-important-role.html)
Classical elements
in Hinduism
The pancha
mahabhuta, or "five great elements", of Hinduism are kshiti or bhūmi
(earth), ap or jala (water), tejas or agni (fire), marut or pavan (air or
wind), byom or shunya (or akash?) (aether or void). Hindus believe that the
Creator used akasha, the most "subtle" element, to create the other
four traditional elements; each element created is in turn used to create the
next, each less subtle than the last. Hindus believe that all of creation,
including the human body, is made up of these five essential elements and that
upon death, the human body dissolves into these five elements of nature,
thereby balancing the cycle of nature set in motion by the Creator. Each of the
five elements is associated with one of the five senses, and acts as the gross
medium for the experience of sensations. According to Hindu thought, the basest
element, Earth, was created using all the other elements and thus can be
perceived by all five senses - hearing, touch, taste, smell, and sight. The
next higher element, water, has no odor but can be seen, tasted, heard, and
felt. Next comes fire, which can be seen, heard and felt. Air can be heard and
felt. "Akasha" (ether)is the medium of sound but is inaccessible to
all other senses.
(Ref.:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_element)
Its interesting to
note that we include all these 5 elements in 'puja' and chant the sacred
element mantras.
Please follow this
weblink for an article on 'puja':
http://www.hindujagruti.org/hinduism/knowledge/article/why-are-puja-articles-arranged-in-specific-five-layers.htm
Creator's work is acknowledged and appreciated.
