Everything that we experience in this universe is a beautiful mixture of Pancha Tattvas. Consisting of earth, water, fire, air, and space, Pancha Tattva governs the composition of every matter from its atomic level.
Moreover, WHO has defined health as “The state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merrily absence of disease and infirmity.”, as described in the definition. Thus to balance the physical, mental and social factors the components of Pancha tattva should also be in equilibrium as well.
The Representation of Pancha Tattvas In Our Body
1. Earth: Solid particles; Bones, Flesh, Skin, Tissue, and Hair
2. Water: Fluids; Saliva, Urine, Semen, Blood, and Sweat
3. Fire: Hunger, Thirst, and Sleep
4. Air: Expansion, Contraction, and Suppression
5. Space: Thoughts, Physical attraction and Fear
The elements of these tattvas can also be represented in the fingers of our hands. The Agni (fire) being the thumb, Vayu (air) being the index finger, Aakash (sky) being the middle finger, Prithvi (earth) being the ring finger and Jal (water) being the little finger.
So, why are the Pancha tattvas in our bodies crucial? As a matter of fact, we cannot deny the fact that Pancha tattvas in our body keeps us healthy and more importantly, it even governs our mood and emotion.
Relation of Pancha Tattvas and Our Emotions
1. Earth: Calm effect, grounding, neutralizes the energy of bones, muscles, and tissue. Most importantly keeps our ego in check.
2. Water: It provides the ability to flow, adapt, act selflessly and keeps away unhealthy attachment.
3. Fire: It brings positivity and creativity, energy and courage, increases metabolic activity. However, if this component is high, it can also result in hatred and anger.
4. Air: It clears communication and self-expression, influences your ability to act in a certain situation and most importantly balances your love, hatred, jealousy and other emotions.
5. Space/Ether: It is the source of intuition and wisdom from the universe and is associated with expansion.
How To Balance Pancha Tattvas Through Yoga Mudras
Having ‘Pancha Tattvas’ in equilibrium is very essential to maintain a balance in the body. So, it is necessary for us to balance these components. Fortunately, there are many yoga asanas and yoga mudras that could be good for balancing the Pancha Tattvas.
1. Prana Mudra
As the name suggests this mudra helps to stabilize the airflow and energy (or the prana) in the body and practicing this regularly helps to activate and energize each cell of your body.
It balances the biochemical and physiological processes and induces youthfulness and cheerfulness. Moreover, it is the mudra of life and plays an important role in improving the confidence of a weaker individual. This mudra deals with the balancing of Jal, Prithvi, and Agni.
Method: The thumb, ring, and little finger are kept in contact with each other, and the remaining fingers are outstretched. Slowly taking in a deep breath in and expiring out air, with eyes closed and hands placed either horizontally or vertically, feel the energy flowing in your body. You can instantly feel energized and balanced with this mudra.
2. Gyan Mudra
This mudra is particularly helpful when it comes to improving your memory power, focus, and alertness. Even for mentally ill patients, patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s, this technique can be a unique method to bring your focus in proper order.
Additionally, the disciple of Buddha practice this mudra and if done for a long time, it can induce sleep like effect. Moreover, this mudra is concerned with making harmony between Agni and Vayu tattva.
Method: The thumb and index fingers are placed in contact with each other and the other fingers are kept outstretched. You can meditate in this posture and practice deep breathing exercises.
3. Dhyana Mudra
As the name of this mudra suggests, it is very effective in bringing peace and harmony to the mind. In the state of chaos, stress, and tension, it is clear fact that one cannot meditate; therefore, this mudra brings you in a calm state in a short time so you can have a blank, clear and calm mind for the meditation.
This mudra helps to balance all the Pancha tattvas. Similarly, I am pretty sure that you have seen this posture in the photographs of many sadhus or seen the idols of Lord Buddha in this mudra!
Method: Sit comfortably and easily in ‘Sukhaasan’ (spine erect and crossed legs). Put the right hand (palm) over the left palm and join the thumb. Now gently close your eyes and breathe slowly and deeply keeping both the palm in your lap. You will feel calm and relaxed in no time.
4. Varuna Mudra
This mudra is very helpful for those who are suffering from liver disease or any blood-related disorders. As this mudra balances the Jal and Agni of the Pancha tattva, any joint-related disorder which is caused due to lack of Jal tattva is also taken care of by this mudra.
Method: Bring the tip of the thumb and little finger near one another, and keep this position of the hand at least in a day for as long as you prefer.
5. Surya Mudra
Surya means the sun or the symbol of great energy and activeness. At times, everyone feels tired and lethargic for no reason, and this feeling of fatigue can be balanced with the help of this mudra.
Surya Mudra also helps to maintain harmony between the Agni and Prithvi tattva. Some specialists in mudra say that practicing this mudra regularly can invoke the hidden supernormal power in the human psyche.
Method: The ring finger is bent and the tip of the thumb is allowed to touch the middle portion of the ring finger. Similarly, the ring finger is made to touch the root of the thumb. You can also take deep breathes during the process.
6. Ling Mudra
For those people who have respiratory problems like COPD, asthma, and frequent cough and cold, this mudra can do wonders as it helps to maintain a balance between the Agni and the Jal tattva in the body.
Especially during cold, people are more prone to get respiratory-related problems including irritating runny nose, dry or productive cough. These symptoms appear because the fire tattva of the body is less and Jal tattva is more; therefore, practicing this mudra can work wonders for sure.
Method: The palms of both hands are kept in contact with each other and interlocked together. Additionally, the left thumb is raised and the right thumb and index encircle it. This mudra needs to be done for 30 to 50 minutes daily and the results are sure to be good.
7. Vayu Mudra
When your Vayu tattva is not aligned properly, it can result in some serious and unwanted complications. The joint pain, arthritis, even rheumatoid arthritis can be taken as a good example of such imbalance.
Similarly, toothache, stomachache, and also headaches are other problems related to Vayu which can disturb the well being of our day to day life. Therefore, Vayu mudra helps to maintain all these problems and balance between the Jal and the Agni tattva
Method: The index finger must be folded and kept at the root of the thumb, while the thumb should touch the middle portion of the index finger. Similar to other mudras, deep breathing with this mudra can also be very helpful.
8. Prithivi Mudra
Some people lack a lot of minerals and essentials vitamin is their bodies, and inevitably they get tired of doing any tasks. For those people, this mudra could be of great help, as it helps to balance the Agni and Prithvi of your body making us energized, cheerful and enthusiastic to do any type of task.
Method: The tip of the ring finger and the tip of thumb are kept in contact with each other. This mudra is to be done for 45 minutes daily and the results are sure to be wonderful.
In Conclusion
Additionally, a person can only be happy and in a good state of health and mind if his Pancha tattvas are in balance; therefore, practicing these simple mudra could be of great use to maintain a good life.
Reference: Literature | Fitsri | Yoga International
