Five Elements of Vastu Shastra
Panch Mahabhoota -- Five Elements
All objects of this universe are made of five elements basically. These five basic elements are (1) Earth or Soil (2) Water (3) Fire (4) Air (5) Space ( Aakash ). These are called "Panch Mahabhoot".
First Element : Prithvi - Earth
Earth here means composition of the
surface of the earth , the soil and other minerals present
in the soil. The upper part of the surface is called soil
,Stone, sand, iron, lime etc., all these are parts of soil.
All these physical elements are available in limited quantity
and on a particular place. This depends on the composition
of surface, its form and size, trees and vegetation
grown upon it etc. that whether it will be appropriate
to inhabit at such a place or not . Moreover if there
is a residence there , what type of
construction should be there. Availability of essential
building materials and their transportation also depend
upon the formation of soil . Soil can be categorized on
the basis of its shape , touch , taste and sound . We
must take care that it suits our physique while
selecting land for building and collecting building material.
Second Element : Jala - Water
This is represented by
rain ,river ,sea and is in the form of liquid , solid(ice) and gas (steam , cloud ) . It forms part of every plant and animal. Our blood is nothing but water with haemoglobin and oxygen.
Third Element : Agni - Fire
Fire circulates energy in the form of light
and heat . The sun is the main source of light and heat
for us. The movement of the earth in relation to the sun
causes day and night and change in seasons .
Fourth Element :Vayu - Air
As a life supporting element, air is very powerful life source. Human physical comfort values are directly and sensitively dependent on correct humidity, air flow, temperature of air, air pressure, air composition and its content.
Foul air should not gather in the
building and fresh air should come continuously . From
which direction air should enter or not is also
important .
Fifth Element : Aakash - Space
Space is the most widely spread over of
the five basic elements. The unending region of the universe
in which all the heavenly bodies exist is called
space ( Aakaash ). There is no place in the universe
where this space does not exist. Gravitational pull of
various heavenly bodies, magnetic power, different kinds
of radiations and waves like ultra -violet rays, infra- red
rays, light rays , cosmic rays, etc. are always present
in space.
There is an invisible and constant relation between all the five elements. Thus, the man can improve his conditions by properly designing his buildings by understanding the effectiveness of these five natural forces.
