− | The word 'bhuta' is formed by the sum of 'kta' affixes in 'bhu sattayam'. And means 'one who has the power of existence' or 'one who exists'. [[Prthvi (पृथ्वी)|Prthvi]] (earth), [[Jala (जलम्)|Ap]] (water), [[Agni (अग्निः)|Teja]] (fire), Vayu (air) and Akasha (sky) are called Panchamahabhutas (the five great elements). There is no reason for their origin, but the existence of everything else is because of these great elements. They are called 'mahabhutas' due to their importance or grossness.<blockquote>महन्तानि भूतानि महाभूतानि । mahantāni bhūtāni mahābhūtāni ।</blockquote>Infact, the body of all living beings and non-living substances of this earth are made from them.<blockquote>इह हि द्रव्यं पञ्चमहाभूतात्मकम् ।१७.२<ref>Ashtanga Sangraha, Sutra Sthana, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9F%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%99%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A7-%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%A6 Adhyayas 11-20]</ref> iha hi dravyaṁ pañcamahābhūtātmakam ।17.2</blockquote>The five great elements from which creation has originated are as follows: | + | The word 'bhuta' is formed by the sum of 'kta' affixes in 'bhu sattayam'. And means 'one who has the power of existence' or 'one who exists'. [[Prthvi (पृथ्वी)|Prthvi]] (earth), [[Jala (जलम्)|Ap]] (water), [[Agni (अग्निः)|Teja]] (fire), Vayu (air) and Akasha (sky) are called Panchamahabhutas (the five great elements). There is no reason for their origin, but the existence of everything else is because of these great elements. They are called 'mahabhutas' due to their importance or grossness.<blockquote>महन्तानि भूतानि महाभूतानि । mahantāni bhūtāni mahābhūtāni ।</blockquote>Infact, the body of all living beings and non-living substances of this earth are made from them.<ref name=":2">Vijnana - Level A ([https://nios.ac.in/media/documents/OBE_indian_knowledge_tradition/Level_A/Vijnana-A_Englishi_OBE/Science-A_E_Ch-2.pdf Chapter 2]), Noida: National Institute of Open Schooling (Open Basic Education Programme).</ref><blockquote>इह हि द्रव्यं पञ्चमहाभूतात्मकम् ।१७.२<ref>Ashtanga Sangraha, Sutra Sthana, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9F%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%99%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A7-%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%A6 Adhyayas 11-20]</ref> iha hi dravyaṁ pañcamahābhūtātmakam ।17.2</blockquote>The five great elements from which creation has originated are as follows: |
| * Sky: The sky has been considered to be eternal. One of the properties of the sky is 'shabda'. Just as the sky is eternal, so is its property 'shabda' also everlasting. | | * Sky: The sky has been considered to be eternal. One of the properties of the sky is 'shabda'. Just as the sky is eternal, so is its property 'shabda' also everlasting. |
− | Thus, the entire universe is created by these five great elements viz. water, fire, air, sky and earth. And their properties are continual. | + | Thus, the entire universe is created by these five great elements viz. water, fire, air, sky and earth. And their properties are continual.<ref name=":2" /> |