Ayurveda is a holistic science that is based on principles for health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment. One of the basic concepts that is peculiar to Ayurveda is the Panchamahabhuta principle. It states that ‘Every matter of this entire existence is made of Pancha-mahabhuta.’
| S. no. | PANCHA-MAHABHUTA (The Five Elements) | MEANS OF PERCEPTION |
| 1. | AAKASHA (ETHER) | Sound |
| 2. | VAYU (AIR) | Sound + Touch |
| 3. | AGNI (FIRE) | Sound + Touch + Vision |
| 4. | JAL (WATER) | Sound + Touch + Vision + Taste |
| 5. | PRITHVI (EARTH) | Sound + Touch + Vision + Taste + Smell |
These 5 elements represent themselves in the form of Dosha. Thus, the equilibrium of these five elements in the body symbolizes health while their imbalance or disturbance represents disease. The concept of Panchamahabhuta (Five elements) is the foundation of Ayurveda to understand its physiology, pathology & pharmacokinetics. It can be utilized to diagnose & treat diseases.