Panch Bhuta
5 cosmic elements
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The 5 elements that form the basis of all matter in the universe.
five elements of matter
These five elements are the basic building blocks of all creation, according to the cosmology and creation theory of Samkhya. Samkhya is the theoretical foundation of yoga.
Akaash
ether
Vayu
air
Tej/Agni
fire
Apa/Jal
water
Prithvi
earth
Panchikaraana
The five essential elements, in their impossibly huge number of permutations and combinations, make up everything in material existence. In their subtle state they are not visible - their presence can be gleaned from their effects and functions; in this state they are called tanmatras.
In their material gross representation they can be sensed by the 5 senses. Whatever can be seen, heard, tasted, smelled and felt, is the gross representation of the 5 elements called the mahapanchabhutas. This includes the stars many times larger than our sun to the microbes and atoms and everything in between; albeit these need technology to see them, but have a gross material form.
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