Anatomical Foundations of the Human Body in Relation to the Pañchamahābhūta (Five Element Theory)
##plugins.themes.academic_pro.article.main##
Abstract
The Pañchamahābhūta theory—comprising Ākāśa (space), Vāyu (air), Agni (fire), Jala (water), and Pṛthvī (earth)—forms the philosophical and physiological foundation of Ayurveda.¹ While modern anatomy describes the body using physical structures and systems, Ayurveda explains the same through elemental principles that govern structure, function, and sensory perception.² This review explores the relationship between human anatomy and the Pañchamahābhūta, highlighting how each element contributes to the formation of tissues, sensory organs, motor organs, and physiological processes.³ The article integrates classical Ayurvedic references with modern anatomical understanding to present a holistic view of the human body.
##plugins.themes.academic_pro.article.details##
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
- 1. Caraka. Caraka Saṃhitā: Sūtra Sthāna. Revised by Caraka and Dṛḍhabala, Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series, Varanasi.
- 2. Caraka. Caraka Saṃhitā: Śārīra Sthāna. Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series, Varanasi.
- 3. Caraka. Caraka Saṃhitā: Cikitsā Sthāna (Dhātu–Mala Siddhānta). Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series, Varanasi.
- 4. Caraka. Caraka Saṃhitā: Sūtra Sthāna (Doṣa Bheda). Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series, Varanasi.
- 5. Caraka. Caraka Saṃhitā: Sūtra Sthāna (Ṣaḍrasa Adhyāya). Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series, Varanasi.
- 6. Guyton, Arthur C., and John E. Hall. Textbook of Medical Physiology. Elsevier, 13th ed.
- 7. Sharma, Ram Karan, and Bhagwan Dash, translators. Caraka Saṃhitā. Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series, Varanasi.
- 8. Suśruta. Suśruta Saṃhitā: Śārīra Sthāna, Chapter 6. Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series, Varanasi.
- 9. Suśruta. Suśruta Saṃhitā: Śārīra Sthāna, Chapters 6 and 15 (Marma Śārīra). Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series, Varanasi.
- 10. Tortora, Gerard J., and Bryan H. Derrickson. Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. Wiley, 15th ed.
- 11. Vāgbhaṭa. Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya: Śārīra Sthāna. Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series, Varanasi.
- 12. Vāgbhaṭa. Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya: Sūtra Sthāna (Agni Adhyāya). Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series, Varanasi.