The Pancha Tattwam -The 5 Great Elements

Online program

Language: Greek & English

According to Vedic science, there are five elements which form the basis of all cosmic creation (manifest and non-manifest) known as the pancha tattwam: ether or space (akasha), gases or air(vayu), light or fire(agni), liquid or water(apas) and solids or earth (prithvi). They are the basic elements present everywhere in nature, from a single cell to the ever-expanding universe, and are associated with the overall health of the human being. The organs and cells of the body, the quality of thoughts, feelings and actions are all influenced by the five tattwas. According to Ayurveda, any disorder in the human body indicates an imbalance of one or more of these elements whereas when balanced they release subtle positive essences creating optimum health in both the body and the mind.  It is essential that these five elements exist in harmony, both within and outside the body, which means that our environment also needs to be peaceful, clean and wholesome.

The Pancha Tattwam and improving the environment

Today our earth is confronting major challenges due to the environmental pollution created by the human race which are triggered by greed and ignorance. Pesticides, intensive farming and deforestation are ruining the soil, overconsumption, plastic waste and harmful chemicals are contaminating the water and the air while arson ravages the forests. An alarming number of satellites are surrounding Earth affecting life on the planet as well as contributing to the growing problem of space pollution. The purification of the outer environment, therefore, must go hand in hand with the purification of the inner environment of our own bodies so a point is reached where the inner and outer worlds reflect one another. As consciousness expands, there is a growing number of people and organisations worldwide sincerely striving to return the balance of Prakriti (nature) and restore harmony to nature.

One of Sri Swami Satyananda’s legacies was to devise methods and practices where humans can purify their body and mind through yogic practices such as the purification of the panchatattwas as well as simultaneously purifying their environment through, yajna, havan and poojas and thus, be able to better live in harmony with one another and the world around them. This is yoga ecology.

Satsang at Rikhiapeeth

Rajasooya Yajna and Sat Chandi Mahayajna, 2007, Swami Satyananda Saraswati

About 1,700,000 years ago, the Ice Age prevailed on Earth. After that, global warming started. Global warming is not a phenomenon of today; it is just that you are only becoming aware of it now. Global warming started several thousand years ago. It was due to global warming that Dwarika submerged. In the future something else will be submerged; the Ice Age will come again, and it will be followed by the emergence of something else. Then you will realize how these things happen. Therefore, do not look at everything from the perspective you have today, but from a scientific point of view…….The modern concept of environmental science lacks coherent scientific thinking. We have to go scientifically, not emotionally and not for political reasons.

– Swami Satyananda Saraswati

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