Abstract

A REVIEW ON CONCEPT OF PANCHABHAUTIC SIDDHANT IN AYURVEDA AND ITS APPLICATION IN CHIKITSA

Dr. Alisha*

Abstract

Ayurveda is an ancient medical science has lots of theoretical and philosophical aspect. It is the science that propagates all the knowledge of life. It defines health and all the factors responsible for its maintenance and health promotion. The fundamental principles of Ayurveda are laid down after many times of tryouts. The concept of Panchamahabhuta (Five elements) is the foundation of Ayurveda to understand its physiology, pathology & pharmacokinetics. Ayurveda believes that everything in this cosmos is made up of five basic elements. These five elements which collectively termed as panchamahabhuta are Prithvi (earth), Jal (water), Agni or Tej (fire), Vayu (air) and Akash (space). The balance of these five elements in the body denotes health or prakriti while their Imbalance or disturbance denotes disease or vikara. Panchamahabhutas are basic components of the human body both for physiological functions in the pathogenesis of disease. According to Ayurveda both the Chikitsya purush and dravyas used for treating him are created by panchamahabhutas only. Also sharira, dosha, dhatu, updhatus and malas are the karya dravyas of Panchamahabhutas As the aim of Ayurveda is fulfilled by this concept of Panchabhautic siddhant. Hence sincere effort by essay author to explore the application of Panchbhautic siddhant in chikitsa in a systemic manner is done. It is very much essential for an Ayurvedic doctor to develop with this significant concept to make the basic things and fundamentals more clear and strong.

Keywords: Ayurveda, Panchamahabhuta, Health, Chikitsa, Charak, Shushrut.