Five Elements and Vastushastra – Sky, Air, Fire, Water, and Earth
1. Sky:
The term “Akash” refers to an infinite void or emptiness in which the entire world exists. Many theories abound regarding the creation of this world. Scientists estimate that about twenty million billion years ago, the world was filled with an igneous substance that eventually exploded, scattering objects in all directions. The Milky Way, a collection of stars resembling splashes of milk, was formed from these scattered fragments. Countless galaxies with clusters of stars, dust, and gas fill the sky or space. Our solar system is located at one end of a galaxy. The significance of this vast universe is incomprehensible from our limited perspective. The inherent quality of the sky is its vastness.
2. Air:
The earth is enveloped by air, which consists of various gases like nitrogen, carbon dioxide, helium, neon, ozone, crystn, and water vapor. These gases form a mixture following a specific rule. For every animal, 21 percent of this mixture comprises vital gas, while 78 percent is nitrogen. Oxygen is essential for animal life and combustion, and without it, trees cannot survive. The quality of air includes touch, and it can be cold or hot.
3. Tej (Agni):
In space, clouds of gas and atoms contract due to gravity, forming spheres. This contraction generates pressure and heat, leading to an explosion that scatters fragments, which then contract further and emit light, creating self-illuminating constellations. Our well-known constellation is the Sun. Fire possesses the qualities of form, word, and touch, making it visible. A thermonuclear process takes place inside the Sun, generating energy and transmitting light and heat that sustain life on Earth.
4. Water:
Dense warm air surrounding the Earth cools and forms clouds, which produce rain and fill the low-lying areas to create oceans. Over time, rainwater flows from mountains, forming rivers and ultimately reaching the sea. Water exists in three forms: liquid, enriched water, and vapor (gas or airy water). The sun’s rays convert liquid water into vapor, which later condenses to form clouds, leading to rain and completing this natural cycle. Water possesses the qualities of word, touch, form, and taste.
5. Prithvi (Bhumi):
Millions of years ago, gas and dust in space gathered and formed a spherical shape due to gravity. Over time, this sphere divided into several parts, with the central stationary sphere becoming the Sun and the remaining part becoming the nine planets, including Earth. Earth is the third planet from the Sun. Initially, it was a ball of fire with a molten rock upper layer. As it cooled, its crust solidified, forming mountains and trenches over millions of years. Earth functions as a big magnet with its magnetic power attributed to magnetic materials inside. It has two poles, north and south, much like a regular magnet.
Understanding the Panchamahabhuta (five elements) and their significance in Vastushastra can help create harmony and balance in architectural and living spaces.
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