Body and Universe, an introduction to Ayurveda through the symbolic of the 5 elements

In this introductory series of articles, I will break down the fundamental principles of Ayurveda, providing a clear starting point for those unfamiliar with it. In the coming months, I’ll also dive into more complex and analytical topics, so stay tuned for deeper insights!

Derived from the Sanskrit words "Ayus" meaning "life" and "Veda" meaning "knowledge" Ayurveda could be translated as the science of knowledge or the science of life. This concept encompasses both a clinical and a philosophical aspect, therefore linking nature and culture, body and mind, microcosm and macrocosm.

Originally passed down orally, Ayurveda was codified in written texts over 5,000 years ago but has probably been practiced for more than 6,000 years. Its principles and philosophy are derived from Samkhya philosophy and the Universal Laws of Nature. With the holistic view that individuals are microcosms reflecting the macrocosm, Ayurveda aims to find balance within all aspects of life (ecological, social, cultural, physical, emotional, and energetic) and considers all levels of human experience in their somato-climatic landscape. Ayurveda approaches health through the idea that we are not separate from the world around us but rather an expression of it.

At the heart of this system lies the Tridoshic model, a framework that reveals how the same forces shaping the cosmos operate within us. Ayurveda's doshic approach to the body combines its medical practices with philosophy, cosmology, and a 'naturalistic' way of explaining causality. The dosha are commonly referred to in the West as humoral medicine, which shares similarities with other classical traditions such as Hippocratic, Galenic, and Chinese medicine.

This concept might seem abstract at first: "How could the universe possibly exist within us?!"

Saying that we are an embodied version of the universe is not metaphorical at all. We are subjected to the same laws and we are composed of the same elemental forces. Ayurveda teaches us that we are a Microcosm of the Macrocosm, and helps us connect information through the doshas archetypes, and a framework designed to understand the actions and interactions between the elements within us and outside of us.

"Thus the person is equal to the universe. Whatever formed entities are found in the universe, they are also found in the person and vice versa. " (Sharma, Śarmā, & Dash, 1981, p. 430)

This sutra is taken from a long conversation between Atreya (one of the esteemed Vedic sages) and his most brilliant disciple Agnivesa ( one of the authors of the Caraka Samhita, the most famous classical text), where they talk about the relationship between man and the universe.

Atreya’s explanation is based on the fundamental idea of Ayurveda, loka-purusha samya, or the principle that the human being (purusha) is a microcosm of the universe (loka). It assumes that everything in the outer world has a corresponding element in the individual. For example, just as the universe is made up of the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, and ether), the human body is also made up of the same elements in different forms.

This connection is not a metaphor but an ontological statement that our bodies and minds reflect the structures, qualities, and processes of the universe. In the course of their discussion, Atreya attempts to explain not only that this correspondence exists but also why it is fundamental to health and disease. He assumes that we contain the same elements, energies, and qualities as the outer world and are, therefore, subject to the same laws and principles that govern nature.

This belief is important in understanding why seasonal changes, environmental changes, and even cosmic forces affect human health. Aside from being subjected to the same universal laws, we also are "made of" the same elements. The structure greatly differs (we are not trees), but the composition itself requires the same forces in action for us to exist, for us to be.

Still with me? If that felt a bit abstract, let’s simplify: to grasp how Ayurveda approaches the body and health, we need to start with the three doshas, which are composed of the five elements, the building blocks of, well, everything in our known universe.

The Pancha Mahabuthas

In Ayurveda, the foundation of all life (human, cosmic, and environmental) is built upon the Pancha Mahabhutas (quick etymology: in Sanskrit Pancha means "five", Maha means "great", and Bhuta refers to "elements" --> the 5 great elements)

• Ether (Akasha).

• Air (Vayu)

• Fire (Tejas)

• Water (Apas)

• Earth (Prithvi)

Samkhya philosophy explains the materialization of the universe through a process of gradual manifestation. Each element represents a stage of increasing density, from the most subtle (ether, associated with space and sound) to the most tangible, dense (earth, associated with solidity, structure, and smell). Each element is associated with a sense, but this is for another article. These elements constitute the physical world, the foundation of all matter and therefore reality and how we experience it through sensory experiences. Creation, life, the Universe, whatever you may call it, is seen as an orderly, hierarchical unfolding from the formless to the manifest, from the ether to the earth.

These elements are not just physical substances; they are energetic principles that govern every aspect of existence, from the structure of our bodies to the rhythm of our thoughts and emotions. The five elements can be directly experienced and observed, as their nature is existential, empirical, and experimental. They are not frozen symbols but ever-shifting forces, maintaining a delicate balance in constant motion. Never static, always dancing. They embody a very important principle: Movement is life, and Movement brings Balance.

Let's look at each of them a bit more!

• Aakasha: Space or Ether
  

Aakasha is the first element to manifest, the initial spark of existence. It is the subtlest of all elements, representing the universe's first expansion, or life's first expression depending on one's perspective. it is linked to sound in its primordial, unmanifested form.

Each element manifests both internally and externally, reflecting the principle of "as within, so without; as above, so below", the interplay between microcosm and macrocosm.

In our world (external manifestation), space is the essence that holds and permeates everything. It embodies the vast, boundless void underlying the physical universe. Space is extremely important because it allows relationships and communication to emerge. Space gives us the freedom to move in it, to exist. When I first started studying Ayurveda, I really loved how it made me question how to define "space."It is a concept that we are all very familiar with, yet putting words on it and explaining what it symbolically represents and why is a very different exercise.

Within our bodies (internal manifestation), space embodies the hollow structures of our physiology. It is present in the joints, pores, arteries, veins, and various passageways. It is in the thoracic and abdominal cavities, the intracranial space, synaptic gaps, and intercellular spaces. It is also the primary element of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, as well as the oral cavity, all of which are hollow by nature. In the body, space grants every cell the freedom to exist, function, and communicate. It creates the necessary room for organs to maintain their structure, blood to flow through vessels, and nerves to transmit signals. Without space, these vital processes could not occur.

On a psychological level, space, or ether, symbolizes connection and openness. Just as physical space allows for movement and interaction, psychological space creates the conditions for communication, understanding, and self-expression. Taking a step back, or being too involved. It represents the mental (air) and emotional (water) "room/space"(ether) we need to process thoughts and experience emotions, sensations, feelings, etc.

Just as physical space in the body enables food to enter and cells to communicate, psychological space makes meaningful exchanges possible. It invites curiosity and understanding, bridging gaps between perspectives. Conversely, when space is constricted, it can lead to narrow-mindedness. Ultimately, it is about the space we choose to create or withhold: the willingness to open ourselves to new ideas and experiences, or the resistance to expansion. Space symbolizes the potential for connection, both with ourselves and with the world around us. All of this can be understood by reflecting on space, pretty fascinating if you ask me! This is what I love about holistic systems or traditional medical systems in general, it all goes back to nature, to taken-for-granted principles that we don't spontaneously reflect on anymore.

The concept of a "space field" has ancient roots, yet it holds profound relevance in modern discourse. Today, those who explore consciousness often speak of the Akashic field, the energy field, or the zero-point field, a realm that transcends the boundaries of space and time. Akasha is not a void but a vast repository where the totality of existence resides: space-time, energy, information, matter, and the collective memories of individuals, societies, and the universe itself. These do not manifest as physical entities but as latent possibilities, awaiting expression. According to Samkhya philosophy, our soul is a piece of this akashic field, making it completely free and timeless, an embodiment of possibilities, creativity, and intention.

Through these brief explanations, we can see how Akasha is more than the vast expanse that holds the universe; it is the very principle that makes existence and movement possible, both within us and in the material world. Sound travels through space, allowing us to hear and be heard. Movement requires space to navigate and act. Even the simple act of reaching out to touch something relies on the presence of space between objects. Space is at the heart of duality which is at the heart of our existence and experiences. It isn’t empty, it is what allows everything to have its place and function. Just as cells need space to interact, we need space to express ourselves, form relationships, and experience the world. It provides the necessary conditions for existence and connection at the microscopic and macroscopic levels.

Each element carries a dominant quality beyond these internal, external, and psychosomatic manifestations. For space, this quality is infinite potential, the void needed and necessary for whatever form to come to life. Literally whatever, a vibration, a sound, a project, a business, an emotion, ANYTHING. Space is the realm of ideas, of potentialities.

• Vayu: Air

Vayu is the second Pancha Mahabthuta to materialize. It is associated with touch.

Externally, air is expressed through the wind: shapeless, without any structure, and constantly moving. It is an invisible force we can all feel. It is the animating movement of life and the great transporter. Air moves around material and immaterial things (smell, pollen, seeds, pollution, echo, dust, etc...) It helps move things through space and needs space to move around. When observing it, we intuitively notice its changing nature: not constant, not visible, very subtle yet extremely powerful at times. Air is a good example of how something shapeless can have a dense expression and actual power. Air is the most life-giving and taken-for-granted thing when it comes to breathing, yet it is capable of immense destruction when it surges through storms or typhoons, moving and altering the course of the densest elements (earth and water).

The analogy "as above, so below" becomes very visual when taking air and breathing as an example: everything that ascends must also descend in order to rise again, what comes in needs to come out to come in again. It is a dance, it is a flow. This is not an invention but a natural law that governs all things, including us. We breathe in and breathe out; neither movement alone sustains life, both are necessary. This duality, up and down, left and right, in and out, cold and hot, electric and magnetic... is inherent in all things. Finding the middle way (balance) requires the presence of two opposing poles that share the same spectrum, and Ayurveda uses them to translate physical observations and sensations into actual clinical practice. We already do it instinctively on a more daily basis: drinking something hot when our body feels cold, putting on cream or something soothing/oily when our skin is dry, craving light food after indulging in something heavy, etc... we are natural born healers, and our body is the most accurate self-healing tool ever if only we were listening to it.

Duality is therefore necessary to create an experience. Space is step n°1 to access the experience, Air is step n°2.

Within the body (internal manifestation), air embodies various forms of movement, or more so the movement, the vital force behind their fluctuation/movement/pathways: blood circulation, nerve impulses, respiration, and voluntary and involuntary actions. At the cellular level, Vayu governs subtle processes, overseeing microscopic movements such as those of RNA and DNA molecules. In a more abstract or symbolic sense, air as a principle represents vital movement, exchange, and fluidity, all of which are central to the idea of circulation. In the body, the circulation of air (breathing) and blood are linked through a cycle of exchange, just as the air moves through the lungs and circulates oxygen, blood circulates throughout the body, delivering nutrients and removing waste. The idea of circulation, whether physical or metaphorical, aligns with the movement and transformative qualities associated with air.

On a psychological level, Air is closely connected to communication. It serves as the medium through which information travels and evolves. It plays a pivotal role in transmitting messages that catalyze transformation, laying the groundwork for the next stage of change, which is symbolized and made possible by fire. This idea is echoed across many traditions and myths, where air is depicted as a dynamic force of change and communication, and common principles can be found across different air archetypes, symbolism, and/or gods.

In Greek mythology, the archetype of wind is embodied by Hermes, known as Mercury in Roman culture. Hermes is the messenger of the gods, a figure who traverses different realms, much like air flows in and out of our bodies, bridging the internal and external worlds. Hermes carries messages across boundaries, often altering the course of history with his words. Air is inherently transformative because it enables the movement of energy. It doesn't "simply" carry information, it redistributes it, allowing it to travel and interact with new environments where it can reorganize the pre-existing whole, shift perspectives, and spark new beginnings. Whether it's the flow of breath within our bodies or the movement of wind across the earth, air constantly facilitates the transfer of vital forces, making it a crucial element in the cycles of change that govern both the physical world and our internal processes.

Air’s role in communication extends beyond just the literal exchange of words or information. It symbolizes the exchange of ideas, thoughts, and energy ( it transports both the unmanifested and the manifested). In tropical astrology, the planet Mercury embodies similar themes. It governs mental processes, thinking patterns, adaptability/variability, and communication. This symbolism is further echoed in the Tarot, where each suit aligns with one of the four elements. The sword suit is associated to air and embodies the intellectual/mind realm. We can see that air consistently represents a movement (of thoughts, words, and energy). It is the invisible force connecting realms, ideas, and people. The divine traveler.

Isn't it fascinating how many traditions and myths share common imagery and symbolism at their core? While each culture may imprint its heritage and history onto the reasoning and explanations, it’s clear that these foundations often trace back to nature itself and our shared observations of the elements, of what surrounds us and inhabit us. As Levi-Strauss suggests in his (amazing) work on myths, these shared foundation reveals the universal patterns beneath the surface. Our environment shapes us in profound ways, we aren’t merely part of nature; we are nature. Our biology is deeply interconnected with the natural world, operating as a sophisticated organic extension of the larger ecosystem.

• Tejas: Fire (sometimes referred to as Agni)

  
  

  The third element to manifest. It is associated with sight.

  
  

I am tempted to call Tejas the most important element due to my extensive study of Agni and its relationship to the digestive system, but the truth is that each of the five elements plays a vital and unique role in sustaining/creating life. The universe is a complex system producing emergent entities. A complex system is not a complicated one, it is an interconnected one, and our body works exactly the same. Our organs are all interconnected and work as a whole. Each is important and finds its place and function in the whole unit.

Fire's external manifestation is the sun, radiating warmth across the entire planet. It is sharp, hot and light, piercing through all things and transforming the very atmosphere. Fire embodies life's dual nature more intensely than most elements. It can be extremely smooth (like the golden light of dawn and dusk), or extremely violent (scorching desert heat). It helps birth life and can destroy it at the same time, nurturing growth and fertilizing the soil while also capable of turning it into ashes.

In the Tarot, the suit of Wands is associated to fire, symbolizing action, creativity, passion, and growth. Like Tejas, the Wands are about manifestation and transformation, as they represent the driving force behind personal and external change. it carries a sense of vitality and ambition, where the energy of fire is used to create, inspire, and push forward. However, like Tejas, they must be managed carefully, too much fire can lead to burnout, while too little can result in stagnation.

Internally, fire regulates our body temperature and governs all transformative processes of life, such as breathing and digestion. It is responsible for the sensations of hunger and thirst and directs the processes that convert food into energy, and energy into consciousness. The digestive enzymes in the stomach, liver, and pancreas operate through the fire element. At a cellular level, metabolic activity is fueled by fire.

Fire is present in everything that generates heat and light; its essential qualities are transformation and transmutation. In many myths, it is associated with death/rebirth, and destruction which is a crucial step of any deep transformative process.

In classical Ayurvedic literature, particularly the texts of the Brhat-Trayī (the Great Triad), fire is extremely important and is tied to gross and subtle digestion. It represents an alchemical stage of life illustrated both in the universe and within ourselves through digestion. Digestion is all about breaking the nutrient of the food we eat (destroying, separating) to assimilate it completely and create new tissues/new dhatus (create a new form from destroying a previous one). Fire holds the power to transform, sparking a quantum leap where new forms arise from fundamental elements. When we talk about digestion and Agni we talk about material food, the one that feeds the physical body, but we also talk about the digestion of subtle food (thoughts, paradigms, and information that is perceived by our 5 senses). The digestion of our environment. This is an extremely interesting subject that would require many articles to itself, but it felt wrong not to mention it briefly here.

Fire also reveals itself in color, vision, form, brilliance, inspiration, the spark, hope and illumination. Illumination often comes with the idea of a breakthrough, implying a before and an after which fits the fire symbolism of destruction, rebirth, death, the phoenix, etc.. There is a necessity to make space for the new, and therefore to burn the old. On a psychological level, fire symbolizes light, which allows us to perceive and understand the world around us, it is tightly related to intelligence, perception, and the ability to analyze, reflect, and discern things. The myth of Prometheus, who steals fire from the gods to give it to humans, also underscores fire’s role in enlightenment, and the passing of wisdom. Prometheus’s act symbolizes the transmission of divine knowledge (symbolized by fire) to humanity, paralleling the concept of Tejas as the intellectual, inspirational, moving forward, transformative fire within us.

• Jalas or Apas: water

  
  

  The fourth Mahabhuta ( great element) according to Samkhya philosophy. It is associated with taste.

Jala is unctuous, moist, soft, heavy, coarse, turbid, fluid, blunt, and cold. Its two primary qualities are protection and cohesion. It is responsible for lubrication, nourishment and onctuosity.

Water constitutes 85% of the Earth (oceans, rivers, glaciers, lakes, and even in the air we breathe). Every living being, plant, animal, and even Mother Earth herself, reflects the presence of water. It also makes up approximately 55 to 78% of the human body, varying with age, sex, and individual constitutions. Water plays a crucial role in protecting and supporting our bodies in many ways, acting as the medium that connects every part of us.

Internally cerebrospinal fluid protects the brain, synovial fluid cushions our joints, and pleural fluid safeguards our lungs. In Ayurveda it is said that the moment we experience the highest level of Jala protection is when we are "cuddled" by Jala for nine months in our mother's womb, surrounded by amniotic fluid which protects the embryo while it is growing in the uterus.

At the cellular level, water exists in the cytoplasm and is essential for cellular cohesion, which is vital for life. In the body, Jala can take the form of aqueous, unctuous, viscous, soft, or sticky substances. It is present in all bodily secretions and excretions, including digestive juices, plasma, blood, sweat, saliva, mucus and urine, among others.

Water also has the unique capacity to absorb the imprint of whatever it is mixed with. An emotion, a plant, a substance. It governs the emotional realm in astrology and the tarot ( cf. the suit of Cups), but its absorbing capacity extends beyond the emotional and symbolic. It plays a vital role in the transmission and reception of medicinal properties, especially in the context of herbal medicine and essential oils. As a universal solvent, water can extract, carry, and deliver the active compounds of plants into the body, making it an essential medium for teas, infusions, and decoctions in traditional medicine systems. Water can be seen not only as a carrier of physical substances but also of subtle frequencies. It can hold the “memory” of intention, sound, or healing energy, which is why water is often used in ritual cleansing, flower essences, and sacred anointments. This is echoed in the way essential oils interact with the body: when diluted into water or carrier oils, their properties penetrate through the skin, aided by the body’s own water content and cellular receptivity. Sometimes, it is interesting to look at water as a bridge between matter and spirit, medicine and body, intention and effect.

• Pritvi: earth

  
  

The fifth and last Mahabutha, the densest one. Pritvi is associated with smell.

The earth element is heavy, coarse, hard, rough, cloudy, dense, solid, static, blunt, cold, and dry. As the densest Mahabhuta, its solidity, stability, and coherence are qualities not found in the other elements. Therefore, the dominant quality of Earth is structure, with its ability to express form in countless ways.

Externally, Earth is represented by the ground beneath our feet, mountains, rocks, buildings, planets, and all the dense objects creating our material and tangible reality.

Internally, Earth is symbolized by the solid and dense parts of our body, including the skeleton, cartilage, tendons, muscles, and organs. Our nails, hair, teeth, skin, and even our feces reflect the presence of Pritvi.

At the cellular level, Earth is present in the cell membrane, which provides structure and support to each cell.

Earth has a grounding energy and offers resistance to action. It is associated with anything tangible which also includes the pleasures of life: eating, touching, and experiencing the sensual richness of the world. It relates to life at its most human level (our need for security, comfort, pleasure, and structure).

In the Tarot, Earth is embodied in the suit of Pentacles, which governs the material realm, finances, work, health, and the physical body. In astrology, it resonates with Saturn, the planet of structure, time, discipline, and boundaries. Saturn embodies the Earth element’s capacity to define, limit, and hold form.

Earth is often personified as Gaia in Greek mythology, the great mother who births and sustains all life, or as Demeter, goddess of agriculture and harvest. These archetypes reinforce Earth’s role as nurturer and provider, but also as one who teaches us the cycles of gain and loss. When the Earth element is balanced, it brings steadiness, endurance, and a deep sense of satisfaction. When out of balance, it may manifest as stagnation, heaviness, or attachment to material things.

Some key principles can be drawn from these brief descriptions :

• Everything within, and around us is composed of the five elements.

• At the cellular, internal, and external levels, each element is present and plays a crucial role in creating and sustaining life. They work together in this permanent dance of impermanence.

When these five elements are in balance within our body and mind, we experience perfect health and boundless well-being. However, even the slightest imbalance among them (too much of this one, not enough of another) can lead to symptoms such as frustration, stress, insomnia, digestive issues, weight gain, sadness, inertia, disease, etc.

Self-reflective FUN game (trust me):

Identifying the Elements in Your Daily Experience

Take a moment to tune in and ask yourself:

Which element do I feel I embody most today?  
Which element was more present today (in and out of me)?  

Feel free to adapt these questions to suit you—they’re just starting points. You can reflect on which element felt most present in your experience today, whether physically, emotionally, or both. This can be done in the moment by noticing your sensations and thoughts, or at the end of the day by looking back at it.

Remember they are always present, guiding your experiences, your thoughts, and your interactions with the world. Where do you find them in your body and mind today?

Don't take this exercise too seriously, approach it with childlike curiosity and see what emerges from it. You may be surprised by where your mind/imagination can take you!

Let me know in the comment what you experienced, noticed, or felt with this exercise, I'm curious to see what will come out of it!

P.S. The insights shared in this article come from a variety of sources: academic journals, classical Ayurvedic texts, personal interpretation, lived experience and practice, my master’s degree in anthropology, conversations with traditional medicine practitioners, and everything I learned during my wonderful training at Rita’s school (https://ayurnatur.com).

The same goes for the articles to come—they’ll all be a rich blend of what I’ve learned, read, practiced, and loved. It’s a living practice, shaped by many voices and filtered through my own! Enjoy.