Understanding Universe and Life – Samkhya Philosophy- 7
(please refer tohttp://www.omdasji.blogspot.in/2013/01/map-of-creation-samkhya-philosophy-flow.html)
PANCHA MAHABHUTAS OR TANMATRAS
The Five Tanmatras or Mahabhutas(Elements): The Tanmatras give rise to the gross elements - pancha mahabhutas . They are building blocks of nature. They exist in gross form as:
-earth/prithvi or solids,
-water/aap or liquids,
-fire/tejas or transformation,
-air /marut—including breath
-space/akash or void
The ancient seers of India - the Rishis, explain the five successive states of matter which developed from the Universal Consciousness which is in a state of pure formless existence. These five successive states are called the Panch Maha Bhutas or elements. Each one is a successful solidification of the previous one:
- From the inert formless Brahman or Universal Consciousness rose a vibration from which sprang the first element of Ether. Ether does not have any form or solid matter
- The next element Air developed from Ether. Air has force but no form
- Then came the element of Fire which had form but the form was not stable
- The fourth element Water had solidification but with the characteristic of diffusion and action of attraction and repulsion
- Finally, came the element of Earth which is the solid state, characterized by cohesion
All forms of Matter we see in nature are developed, combined, and changed through the action of these five elements. From these elements come the characteristic vibrations that correspond to the objects of senses and the action of the sense organs.
The five elements are internalized and perceived by the manas or Mind through the jnanendriyas or organs of knowledge. They are produced from the tamo guna and include five subtle states of knowing, or channels for internalizing: They exist and function in a subtle state. They are
• Akasha or Ether internalized through Sabda (Sound)
• Vayu or Wind, internalized through Sparsa (Touch)
• Agni or Fire , internalized through Rupa (Sight or Form)
• Apas or Water, internalized through Rasa (Taste)
• Prithvi or Earth, internalized through Gandha (Smell or Odor)
All creation/matter found on Earth and in the Universe are the products of different combinations of the five basic elements. Everything found on Earth can be classified into one of these five categories based on their innate characteristics. Human beings are one of the many species of organisms that are found on Earth. We are physically made up of exactly the same elements that form all of the other species that live on Earth. We sustain the combination of elements already present in us through breathing in air, drinking water and juices and consuming food. Whatever we consume are the elements found in the natural world which surround us. When we die, the elements in our bodies dissolve and return to the earth, water, fire, air and space. Thus the balance of elements is maintained on Earth.
Matter and energy are interconnected. We know that all matter is energy and matter and energy can be converted into each other. All matter is made up of atoms which act in an orderly manner to sustain the quality and characteristics of the matter. The atoms in any matter maintain themselves with incredible discipline to create forms. This superior intelligence and strict application to laws of nature is the power of Prakriti and the Consciousness field that surrounds all creation.
(Contd in next blog 8.......)
