Principles of Ayurveda : The Panchmahabhuta Concept

Ayurveda believes that everything in the universe, along with all the living and the human beings, to be composed of the five basic elements, called the Panchmhabhutas. The panchmahabhutas include the air, water, fire, earth, and space.

Ayurveda suggests that all the panchmahabhutas integrate together to give rise to the Doshas (energy types) within the living beings. The three Doshas so formed are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Vata is believed to be a combination of air and space, Pitta represents the fire and water, and Kapha constitutes water and earth. Together the three are called 'the Tri-Doshas', governing the psychological, biological, and the physiological aspects of the mind and the body. They also control the interaction methodology of the individual with the world around him.

The Prakriti or the constitution of the individual is also governed by the dominance of the Tri-Doshas. In general only one or two out of the three Doshas are dominant in an individual. Ayurveda because of compositions of Doshas treats every being as an individual. Every medicinal prescription in ayurveda is specifically prepared for an individual keeping in mind the constitution of his/her Doshas. This is what explains the fact, why every individual reciprocates to a set of treatment in a different manner.

Well being of an individual in ayurveda is judged on the basis of the balance and harmony of the Doshas. An imbalance among or within the Doshas, lead to different ailments and disorders. The principles of ayurvedic health revolve around the three Doshas, attempting to keep a balance among them.

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