Contemporary physics, philosophy, technology and the likes served Ayurved explain its principles in a better manner. Panchamahabuta means the five basic elements of this material world. Why five? Because we perceive the world around through five sense organs viz. through ears, skin, eyes, tongue and through nose. Five different specific characteristics of an object are perceived through these sense organs. These are perceived by hearing, touch, seeing, tasting and smelling. Five mahabhuta which are perceived by these are respectively aakash, vayu, tej, aap, and prithvi.
We will discuss Aakash mahabhut now. Aakash is not sky. In Sanskrit, unique characteristic which describes Aakash is aakashasya apratighatatva; meaning 'No Obstacle' or Freedom. Aakash means space. It is the space in which the matter around exists. All matter, including us. It is not 'mere' space. It is more than that. We have 'discovered' this space. We acknowledge this space. We have become conscious about this space. We have identified certain characteristics of aakash. It is by virtue of aakash that we all, living and non-living entities exist.
Big bang is a widely accepted theory of birth of the universe. There was NO aakash, no space, no stage to exhibit anything. With the big bang, the expansion began. It is well known that it is still expanding. Aakash is giving 'un-obstacleness' to newer matter to exist in the expanding universe. There was 'nothing' before the big bang. Although, it is difficult to visualize, now we know that the matter is accommodated in newer space or aakash. This aakash gives apratighatatva for accommodation to the matter.
Our body is composed of various types of spaces actually. The spaces are bounded by various types of specialized tissues. These form organs and systems. Multiple specialized processes take place in these spaces. Constriction in the space is harmful. Atrophy of kidney or constriction in alveoli of lungs for example may lead to life threatening condition. We need to have appropriate space for blood to travel. Atherosclerosis of arteries decreases the space inside them. There is little freedom for blood to flow. A stroke or myocardial infarction may follow after this. As decreased space causes problem, more than the predetermined space is also a problem. Cardiomegaly or hypertrophy of muscles is an abnormality.
In day-to-day life, we require certain 'space' for living well. This space is physical, psychological, personal, social and what not! And we don't like anybody interfering it. We want apratighatatva in almost every field. This freedom is bestowed to us by the basic element or panchabhut, aakash.
Nowadays we 'purchase' this aakash, by purchasing pen drives and hard discs of various 'spaces'. We purchase houses considering its space. Increase of space causes cost increase, be it a house or a pen drive!
On the larger scale also, we have understood the importance of apratighatatva. Generations have shed their blood for want of freedom. This freedom is a characteristic of aakash at a certain level. All these things underline the importance of aakash and we have to understand it and bow down before it.
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