Today more than 100 elements have been detected by modern scientists. These are the basic elements like; hydrogen, carbon, sodium etc; which unite together to create all the beings, living or non living of our world. Presence of any one of these relative to other elements in any material will decide its physical and chemical qualities and its function in the ecological system of ours.
According to Ayurveda everything in Universe is poised of the 
Panchmahabhootas – Aakash , Vayu , Teja or Agni , Jala and Prithvi.
These are mixed in countless varieties of relative magnitude such that each form of matter is distinctly unique. Although each element has a range of attributes, only some get evident in particular situations. Constantly changing and interacting with each other, they craft a situation of full of life flux that keeps the world going. This all happens under the control of TriGunas.
In a simple, single living cell for example the Pruthvi element predominates by giving structure to the cell. The Jal element is present in the cytoplasm or the liquid within the cell membrane. The Agni element regulates the metabolic processes regulating the cell. The Vayu element is the gaseous part therein. The space occupied by the cell denotes the presence of ether, the Aakash In the case of a complex, multi-cellular organism as a human being for instance, Akash corresponds to spaces within the body (mouth, nostrils, abdomen etc.); Vayu denotes the movement (essentially muscular but nervous system also); Agni controls the functioning of enzymes (intelligence, digestive system, metabolism); Jala is in all body fluids (as plasha, saliva, digestive juices); and Prithvi manifests itself in the solid structure of the body (bones, teeth, flesh, hair et al)
The Panchmahabhootas therefore serve as the foundation of all diagnosis and treatment modalities in Ayurveda and has served as a most valuable theory for physicians to detect and treat illness of the body and mind successfully.
- Aakash – All body channels, working for the movement of the nutrients and all other fluids. Vacuumed organs of the body are made of Akash.
- Vayu – Governs inhalation, exhalation, opening and closing of eyelids, locomotion and other motor functions.
- Agni – Coarse and bright, pedals temperature and luster of body color. Digestion and assimilation of food is done by it inside the body.
- Jal – The adhesive force and fluid part of the body is Jal, making things supple and smooth.
- Pruthvi – Heavy, immobile, compact and rough. Controls organs as teeth, nails, flesh, skin, tendons and muscles. Sweet taste.
Together formation of Mahabhootas makes a six different taste. And this tastes or Ras can increase or decrease the level of Dosha in our body. All this is very essential in the treatments part of Ayurveda. HErbs and Combination medciataion are based n this Concepts of Mahabhootas – RAs n all.
This are just for the understating to common people. We cant correlate Pruthvi mahabhoot to Earth, or Jal mahabhoot to Water….! Becau
se this terminology is very waste, and this is not so easy to understand of every individuals. Only Ayurveda Scholars/students who knows all terminology and Fundamental rules of Ayurveda can recognize all this Five elements.
If Percentile involvement of Panchmahabhootas is known, an individual can do better with the health. Sushruta tells in His great text of Ayurveda- “There are five Prakrutis according to the involvement of these five in the body. At Atharvayurveda, we access your Prakruti according to the involvement of Panchamahabhootas also.
This information is just for knowledge and understanding that How big concept Ayurveda have and how waste science it it…!!!
