366. The Chronology of the FIVE ELEMENTS.

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/mysticism/the-chronology-of-the-five-elements

Akashat Vayuhu, Vayur Agnihi, Agnir Apaha, Adyah Pruthivi, Pruthivya Oshadhayaha, Oshadhayo Annam, Annaath Purushaha.-Taittriya Upanishad.


“Akashat Vayuhu,” From the space came the air. Space is the first manifestation. We find in nature that an individual creates a dwelling place. And Prana created its own abode by generating Air is the thought of the Veda. This is therefore the second manifestation.

 
“Vayur Agnihi” From the air came fire. We find that when hydrogen is burnt using oxygen we see fire and it results in water. Therefore Fire is the third manifestation. And “Agnir Apaha” Water is the fourth manifestation.

 
“Adyah Pruthivi” From this water manifested the earth. This is the fifth manifestation.


“Pruthivya Oshadhayaha” From the earth came vegetation. This is the sixth manifestation.


“Oshadhayo Annam” From the vegetation came food. This is the seventh manifestation.


“Annaath Purushaha” From this food came the individual (Jeevi). This is the eighth manifestation.


As per the ancient thought of the Indian scriptures the whole universe and the human body both are made of Pancha Maha Bhuta, the five elements. Pancha is five, Maha is great, and Bhuta is life sustainers. They are Akasha (Ether), Vayu (Air), Agni (Fire), Aapa (Water), and Prithvi (Earth). These five elements (atomic particles) have got their evolution from the five preliminary elements called Pancha Tanmatras which are the minutest infra atomic particles and which has the sensing ability. These Pancha Tanmatras are Shabdha (Sound), Sparsha (Touch), Roopa (Sight), Rasa (Taste), and Gandha (Smell).


At the onset it was Akasha Bhuta, the ether element which had only sound, the Shabdha Tanmatra in it. From it evolved the Vayu Bhuta, the Air element which along with the sound has the touch, the Sparsh Tanmatra in it. Hence the air is felt and heard. From Vayu came Agni Bhuta, Fire element which along with the sound and touch has the sight, Roopa Tanmatra in it. Hence we are able to see, feel, and hear it. From the Agni came the Aapa Bhuta, the water element which along with the sound, touch, and sight has the taste, Rasa Tanmatra in it. Hence we can taste the water and also see, feel and hear it. From the Aapa came the Pritivi Bhuta, the earth element which along with the sound, touch, sight, and taste has smell, the Gandha Tanmatra in it. Hence we can smell the earth and also see, feel, hear, and taste it.
 

The five elements in human body are classified as follows:
 

1. Entire physic emotions in us which are likes, dislikes, modesty, fear, ignorance are qualities of Akasha Bhuta, the Space element in the body.
 

2. Inhaling, exhaling, running, walking, contraction, expansion are qualities of Vayu Bhuta, the Air Element in the body.
 

3. Body Heat, hunger, thirst are qualities of Agni Bhuta, the Fire element in the body.
 

4. Blood, semen, bone-marrow, urine, and saliva are qualities of Aapa Bhuta, the Water Element in the body.
 

5. Bones, flesh, veins, and arteries are qualities of Prithivi Bhuta, the Earth Element in the body.
 


Just like Absolute these Pancha Maha Bhutas are omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient. All these exceptional characteristics of the Pancha Maha Bhutas are attributed to Absolute by our ancient seers. The only difference between the Absolute and Pancha Maha Bhutas is that, one can see, touch or feel the presence of these Pancha Maha Bhutas but it is near impossible to have the glimpse of the Absolute.
 


Apart from Ancient Seers of India, many ancient philosophers from China, Japan, and Persia have used a set of typical classical elements to explain patterns in nature. Aristotle, Plato, Socrates have also mentioned extensively about these classical elements in their writings.