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Foundation of AyurvedaFive States
of Matter
Panchamahabhutas :Ayurveda is centered on five basic elements of creation. The philosophical foundation of this system is based on the belief that in the beginning ,the universe was completely unified. This unity was differentiated into five elements called Panchamahabhutas. The first element to emerge was ether ,which in turn give birth to air, then to heat ,water and earth. These elements are the foundations of the ayurveda system.Their brief explanations are :
Akasha (sky, ether):
Can express itself as the space within which everything exists and the space(s) within everything.
Manifestation = space
Nature = etheric
Action = field
Vayu (air):
Can express itself as the gaseous state of matter.
Manifestation = motion
Nature = gaseous
Action = propulsion
Agni (fire):
Can express itself as transformational energy.
Manifestation = energy
Nature = heat
Action = conversion
Jala (water):
Can express itself as the liquid state of matter
Manifestation = cohesion
Nature = fluid
Action = liquidity
Prithvi (earth):
Can express itself as the solid state of matter.
Manifestation = mass
Nature = solid
Action = density