Pertaining to the physical or material world; the fine spiritual aspect of material objects. (Glossary for the Vahinis)

‘I see a thing. That thing is Adhi-bhautika . But, what exactly is seeing it? You my say the eye sees it. Where from does the eye get the capacity to see things? Think of that! The Deity presiding over the eye is Sun. He gives the eye the power of vision. Without sun, in the dark, the eyes cannot see, isn’t it? The sun therefore is Adhi-daivika. But, there is one more basic factor in this process - the Jiva, the individual behind all the senses, behind the eye and the ear and the rest. That individual is the Atma, the Adhi-atma. The Atma, the Deity, the senses that bring knowledge of things, without these the process cannot continue. The Atma is the witness.’ Suka explained to Parikshit. (Bhag Vahini, p. 175)

Adhi-bhautika is the result of attachment to kith and kin, treated as separate but still one’s own. It is the egoist bond that pains man the most, often also leading him into evil ways. Its companion, anger, lays hold of us like a ghost and persuades us to join the devil dance with its gang, of which envy and greed are the chiefs. (SSS Vol.14)

Adhi-bhautika refers to difficulties caused by the five elements (ether, air, fire, water and earth) and the five sheaths (relating to food, life, mind, awareness and bliss). These sufferings are caused by human beings, animals, insects or other creatures. (SSS Vol.27, 1994)