Ayurveda and the five elements

If we are not serious chemists then the periodic table of elements can seem daunting; however, according to astrophysicist, Ethan Siegel, the most abundant elements in the universe are found within the first two elements of the table—Hydrogen (H) and Helium (He), which are responsible for the Big Bang explosion and the origin of creation. 

Ancient Vedic philosophy also recognizes the Big Bang Theory and claims that the universe has sound, and that sound—somewhere before, during, or after the Big Bang process—says aum (aum is considered by the Vedic civilization as the sacred sound of the universe). Similarly, scientists have currently recorded and recognized that the universe has a humming sound. Ayurveda Doctor, Vasant Lad, explains in his book, Marma Points of Ayurveda, that the pulsation of these aum sound vibrations created space—as opposed to sound moving through space—, thus Lad states that this relationship between sound and space represents an “intrinsic connection between space (ether) and the measurement of sound” (11). This philosophical insight clearly demonstrates an understanding of how our sense of hearing is used as an instrument to measure sound—as we all know people who have an ear for music or people who are clairaudient and can hear sounds otherwise not heard by others.

We all measure sound according to our individual sense of hearing. Similarly, all our sense organs (ears, eyes, nose, tongue, and skin)—whether we are aware of it or not— are working as personalized measuring devices, for understanding ourselves, each other, our environment, and for self-healing. Evidently, we can see the importance of taking care of our senses, as they are our instruments that measure our truth in how we experience the world. There is a deep, compassionate, and profound beauty to Ayurveda; Ayurveda not only seeks the truth that is reflected in each of us, but also embraces all of us with a loving understanding based on creation.

"It’s wonderful to be loved but it’s profound to be understood."  Unknown

Sankhya philosophy and its insights on creation, consciousness, and manifestation enumerate a table of elements based on the five elements (ether, air, fire, water, earth) and how they manifest in nature and the human body, similar to the periodic table of elements, the first element having the lightest atomic weight. The air element, which is the result of sound moving through space, is light in quality. Subsequently, as Doctor Lad explains in his book, Marma Points of Ayurveda, “ …air moving in space generates radiant heat; this is the creation of the fire element” (11). He continues that the “processes by which the elements are generated, and the dynamics of their actions and interactions are nothing but the transformation and permutations of consciousness, as [ocean] waves are simply the shapes and movements of water” (10). He goes on to explain that “because of the radiant heat of the fire, consciousness melts into the water element and water then crystallizes into the earth element” (11). These five elements represent specific types of energy at their densest form, or one can say they are the densest form of consciousness.

The subtlest elements (sound, touch, vision, taste, smell) of this denser consciousness (the five elements) we experience through our sense faculties (ears, skin, eyes, tongue, nose), or we can say subtle consciousness measures denser consciousness through our sense faculties, our measuring instruments. It is easy to see that whatever we hear, touch, see, taste and smell contributes to our feelings, thoughts, and emotions, and how we register this energy is directly experienced in the five elements, the densest fabric of our being: our body.

Vedic Philosopher, Doctor Douglas Brooks, lectured that Ayurveda accounts for all 118 elements on the periodic table through a user-friendly five-element concept. Five elements aren’t as daunting as 118. To make it even simpler these five are then classified into the three physiological activities in the body (catabolic, metabolic, and anabolic activity), which Ayurveda calls Vata, Pitta, and Kapha dosha. Each individual has different degrees of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha activity that makes up his or her physiological constitution or Prakruti. Vata is a combination of the air and ether elements in the body, Pitta is a combination of the fire and water element, and Kapha is the combination of earth and water. It is an individual's VPK constitution that Ayurveda uses as an individual's benchmark, for balancing their physiology, for better health, and longevity.

"Air, fire, and water are the three principles most fundamental to life.  Svoboda

As mentioned before, the five elements appear in the body as Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, our Prakritic constitution. VPK also has subtler forms of energy called Prana (movement of thoughts, which rule the functions of the mind) Tejas (all transformative processes, understanding, and intelligence), and Ojas (life stability, vigor, and vitality). They respectively represent the cosmic urges to movement, transformation, and stability.
Ayurveda massage affects not only the densest form of our body but also Prana, Tejas, and Ojas, which operate within our psycho-physiological make-up, in terms of our mind, perception and psychological constitution (thoughts, feelings and emotions). Hence, the Ayurveda massage protocols are designed to benefit not only the physical body but also the subtle body, which is made up of our thoughts, feelings, and emotions.

An excerpt from Swami Venkatesanandas book, Vasistha’s Yoga, speaks eloquently with regards to insights on the physical and the subtle body, for health and healing:

…physical ailments arise from psychic disturbances and can be dealt with by means other than medical. When there is a mental disturbance, one does not perceive one's path clearly. Unable to see the path in front of oneself, one takes the wrong path. The life-forces [Vata, Pitta, and Kapha] are agitated by this confusion and they flow haphazardly along the nadis (energetic channels). As a result, some nadis are depleted of energy, and others are clogged. Then disturbances arise in the metabolism, indigestion, excessive appetite, and also improper functioning of the digestive system. Food eaten turns to poison. The natural movement of food in and through the body is arrested. This gives rise to various physical ailments.

Ayurveda has daily and seasonal routines or guidelines to achieve health. A daily routine (diancharya) represents daily activities that we follow according to the cycles of Kapha, Pitta, Vata. For example, from sunrise (6 am) – 10 am Kapha dosha is dominant; from 10 am – 2 pm Pitta dosha is dominant, and from 2 pm - 6 pm Vata dosha is dominant. The same sequence follows from 6 pm – 10 pm, Kapha is dominant, from 10 pm – 2 am, Pitta, and from 2 am – 6 am, Vata dosha again. A seasonal routine (ritucharya) are a change in the season that can potentially cause dosha imbalance. We cannot control seasonal changes but we can adapt our lifestyle. There are morning routines of cleansing like scraping your tongue after cleaning your teeth to remove toxins and foul breath. Nasya therapy suggests oiling the nostril after exercise to sharpen the sense organs. Self abhyanga massage can be done in the evening to promote sleep. Below are a list and links of different routines that Ayurveda uses to help protect, nourish, and strengthen our sense organs.

1. Nasya (nourishes) - the nose is the gateway to the head. Thus, nasal herbal oil therapy is useful in treating stiffness in the head, throat and jaw, migraines, and neck and shoulder tension. It strengthens the senses (e.g., ears, nose, eyes, etc.) and relaxes the breath. Nasya lubricates the tissues of the nasal cavity so that they are less reactive to dryness and airborne irritants. A special oil called “Anu Tailam is used or pure sesame oil. (Link)

2. Karuna purna – is the insertion of drops of warm sesame oil to fill the ear cavity. The five elements are connected to the five senses, and air (Vata) is connected to hearing. Therefore, treating the ear is an excellent way to normalize Vata. Contraindications are menstruation, symptoms of vertigo, acute conditions like colds and flu, and any inflammation in the ears. Although deafness caused by wax may be an indication for Karuna Purna, oil may settle behind the wax and actually cause deafness to become acute. Having the ears syringed will solve this problem. (Link)

3. Castor oil is used to nourish dry, red, and overworked eyes. 

4. Tongue scraper – scraping your tongue each morning removes bad breath, clears toxins and bacteria, and enhances your sense of taste and improves digestion. Ayurveda claims that proper digestion is the cornerstone of good health. (Link)

5. Self Abhyanga - self-massage soothes the nervous and endocrine systems, encourages lymph drainage, tones the muscles, rejuvenates the skin, eliminates impurities and promotes youthfulness. (Link)