The senses are the prime motive forces for the mind and the illusion it suffers from. The five elements have each one a characteristic that affects and attracts one of the five senses; sound (ether), which fascinates the mind through the ear; touch (air) draws the mind to itself through the skin; form (fire) which manipulates the mind in its favour through the eye; taste (water), which enslaves the mind through the tongue and smell (heart), which attracts the mind through the nose. Contact with the external world is maintained by the senses for the sake of these experiences which yield joy or grief. In order to escape being tossed about on the waves of joy or grief, one should cultivate unconcern (upeksha), an attitude of welcoming either, as a sign of grace. Shri Ramakrishna said that if you want to avoid the sticky fluid in the jack-fruit from contacting your fingers when you feel it, you have to apply a few drops of oil on them. So too, said he, ‘If you do not want the world and its reactions to stick to you, have a few drops of ‘unconcern’ applied on your mind’. (SSS Vol. 6, p. 81)
Human body is said to be composed of the Five Elements, the Panchabhootas. They are Akasha,Vayu,Agni. Jala and Prithvi, which are usually referred to as ether, air, fire, water and earth. Each subsequent element originated from the previous one.
From Brahman originated Yathna and Mahath (Effort and Cosmos); from these are born Akasha, was born Vayu, Agni; from Agni, Jalam; and from Jalam, Prithvi. The human body is the result of combination of all these five. Each element has again become fivefold and has gone into composition of the body.
The five forms of Akasha in the body are – The cogniser (Jnaatha), Manas (mind). Buddhi (intellect), ahamkara (egoism), panchakam (existence, effulgence, bliss)
These recognised as the ‘inner senses’.
The five forms of Vayu are – Samana (balanced breathing), Vyana (The life wind, diffused throughout the whole body), Udaana (the life wind which arises on throat and enters head), Prana (breath, vital airs) and Apana (down breath) , These are called Pancha pranas.
The five forms of Agni become sensory organs and are – the ear, skin, the eye, the tongue, the nose. They are demarcated as Jnanedhriyas the organs of knowledge.
The five forms of water became Jalapanchakas are- Shabda, Sparsha, Rupa, Rasa, Gandha – Sound, Touch, Form, Taste and Smell. They are known by special name Pancha-tanmatras, the Five Subtlenesses.
The five forms of Earth are – Vocal organs, hands. Legs, genitals and the excretory organs and are known as Karmendriyas – the organs of action.
The special products attributed to the Five Elements are :
Of the Earth – Bone, skin, flesh, veins, hair.
Of the Water – Blood, urine, saliva, phlegm. brain.
From Fire – Hunger, thirst, sleep, sloth, comradeship.
Vayu produces – Activity, movement, speed, shame, fear.
Akasha is responsible for the consequences of: lust, anger, greed, pride and envy. (PraV, pp. 1-3, 6)