| Everything in this universe is made of five elements - | | | | outlook of both the external world as well as the |
| earth, water, air, fire and space. These five elements | | | | inner world. They regarded everything in this world as |
| are also present in the human body. If these | | | | sacred and had a reverent attitude towards |
| elements are polluted in the external world, they are | | | | everything and worshipped the five elements and |
| also contaminated in the human body, because that | | | | nature itself. |
| which is outside is also inside. However, it needs to | | | | The next question naturally follows, "How did they |
| be mentioned, that of the five elements, space and | | | | worship? |
| fire cannot get contaminated because of their very | | | | There is what is called Pancha Puja, worship of the |
| nature. | | | | five elements. This puja is performed to the main |
| The nature of fire, is to burn everything it comes | | | | God, be it Vishnu, Lalitambika or Ganesha in the form |
| into contact with, to ashes, to its base element. It | | | | of the essence of the five elements. |
| has no discrimination; it consumes and devours | | | | Correspondingly, these five elements are given a |
| everything it touches. | | | | special place of residence in the chakras of the subtle |
| Space is infinite and holds everything within it and yet | | | | body of the human body as mentioned in Kundalini |
| is not touched by anything. Nothing exists without | | | | yoga, which is the practice of the yoga or union of |
| space. It cannot be stained; it cannot be | | | | Shiva and Shakti. |
| contaminated. So, we are left only with the other | | | | In this ritualistic puja, the most sacred and auspicious |
| three elements, earth, water and air that can be | | | | physical offerings representing the five elements are |
| polluted. | | | | made to the divinity who is worshiped with the |
| What is the root cause of these elements is what | | | | chanting of powerful bijaksharas, seed letters in a |
| the Upanishad rishis questioned. Can they exist by | | | | very reverential manner. |
| themselves? Do they have a consciousness that can | | | | 1. Fragrant sandalwood paste representing the earth |
| say "I exist"? Who says they exist? "I" say they | | | | element in the muladhara chakra, the root chakra is |
| exist. | | | | offered while chanting the lam bijakshara, seed letter. |
| Who is this "I"? | | | | 2. Nectarean food representing the water element in |
| This "I" is an entity that is aware of its own | | | | the Svadhishthana chakra is offered while chanting |
| existence and everything around it. The final question | | | | the 'vam' bijakshara. |
| put forth by the Upanishad rishis was "What is the | | | | 3. A lighted lamp representing the fire element in the |
| root cause of this "I"? | | | | Manipura chakra, in the solar plexus is offered while |
| Who is to say this "I" exists? And they came to the | | | | chanting the 'ram' bijakshara. |
| irrefutable conclusion that this "I" is the causeless | | | | 4. Fragrant flowers representing the air element in |
| cause of everything that exists. It needs no proof of | | | | the Anahata chakra, the heart chakra are offered |
| its own existence and gives proof to the existence | | | | while chanting the 'ham' bijakshara. |
| of everything else by its "awareness". Therefore, this | | | | 5. Fragrant incense representing the space element in |
| "I" is consciousness that is existence and awareness; | | | | the vishuddhi chakra, the throat chakra is offered |
| what is termed in Sanatana Dharma as "sat" and | | | | while chanting the 'yam' bijakshara. |
| "chit". Also this "I" is termed "atman" and is analogous | | | | Ajna chakra, the third eye chakra is the seat of |
| to light for it has the knowledge of everything | | | | knowledge and is beyond the elements. Sahasrara |
| through awareness. It is also called swayam jyoti, self | | | | chakra, the thousand petalled lotus in the crown |
| effulgence. One light does not need another light to | | | | chakra also does not pertain to the elements and is |
| illumine its existence. This "I" or light is present in | | | | the place where shakti is united with Shiva. |
| everyone. Just as a light bulb glows within the casing | | | | Physical offerings symbolizing these elements are |
| of a glass bulb and yet spreads its light everywhere, | | | | made through the chanting of mantras and powerful |
| this atman shines in the casing of a physical body and | | | | seed letters called bijaksharas. Seed letters resound in |
| yet spreads its light everywhere. When this | | | | space and their vibrations are carried in their subtlest |
| consciousness revels in the pure awareness of its | | | | forms through the medium of fire, water, air, earth |
| own existence, it experiences bliss, the highest and | | | | and space to Paramatman. |
| purest form of happiness and sheer joy. It is also the | | | | The rishis of Sanatana Dharma could control these |
| ultimate as it is the causeless cause of everything. | | | | elements and make them do what they wanted. |
| This is what is called Atman or God. The words | | | | Their pujas were performed to thank and appease |
| atman and I are synonymous. On an individual level it | | | | the elements and keep them in balance. |
| is called Atman, but on a universal level it is called | | | | Water is the elixir of life, earth is called Mother Earth |
| Paramatman. The whole goal of life is in finding this | | | | for it provides us with everything for our sustenance |
| oneness (Brahmatmaikya bhava) or identity of the | | | | and air is called prana vayu, vital life giving force. The |
| Atman with Paramatman, individual Self (atman) with | | | | greatness of each of these elements will be |
| the Universal Self (Brahman). | | | | discussed in the next article. How do we show them |
| In order to experience this state of oneness of the | | | | due respect by developing the right attitude toward |
| Self with the Universal Self, Sanatana Dharma | | | | them is the subject of the next article. |
| prescribed a way of life that took a comprehensive | | | | |