Five Elements Of Body
The human body is also made up of the five elements and the soul. These five elements are:
- Prithvi or earth.
- Apa or water.
- Tejas or fire.
- Vayu or air.
- Akash or space.
These five elements are the basic constituents, and everything can be explained in terms of these five elements. For example, the bulky and solid part is earth, the digestive enzymes responsible for cooking or digesting are fire, and the hollow, empty parts and the big beer belly are space.
Tridoshas: The Three Biological Humours
These five elements in their biological form in the living body are of three different kinds. These are three primary life forces or biological humours, known as Doshas. As they are three in number, they are called Tridoshas:
- Vata - Comparable to air.
- Pitta - Comparable to fire.
- Kapha - Comparable to water.
These Doshas influence various physiological and psychological functions in the body and must be in balance for overall health.
Other Important Basic Principles of Ayurveda
Dhatus – These are the basic tissues that maintain and nourish the body. They are seven in number: chyle, blood, muscles, fatty tissue, bone, marrow, and semen. Proper amounts of each Dhatu and its balanced function are crucial for good health.
Mala – These are waste materials produced as a result of various metabolic activities in the body, such as urine, feces, and sweat. Proper elimination of Mala is equally important for good health, as accumulation causes many diseases.
Srotas – These are channels responsible for transporting food, Dhatus, Mala, and Doshas. Proper functioning of Srotas is necessary for transporting different materials to their required sites. Blockage of Srotas leads to diseases.
Agni – These are different types of enzymes responsible for digestion and transformation processes in the body. Maintaining the equilibrium of Agni ensures proper metabolic functioning.
To maintain a perfect combination of Five Elements, Seven Dhatus, and Three Doshas is the fundamental principle of Ayurveda.
