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The 25 'Prakirtis' of the the Five Elements [Thread].
![The 25 'Prakirtis' of the the Five Elements [Thread].](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ErzJ5MvUwAA9cKP.jpg "The 25 'Prakirtis' of the the Five Elements [Thread].")
Within the Sikh tradition, there are five elements which constitute the material world and the human body:
ਪਾਂਚਤਤਕੋਤਨੁਰਚਿਓਜਾਨਹੁਚਤੁਰਸੁਜਾਨ ॥
Your body is made up of the five elements; O clever and wise one - know this well.
Saloks 11 of Salok Mehalla 9 - Adi Guru Granth Sahib
ਪਾਂਚਤਤਕੋਤਨੁਰਚਿਓਜਾਨਹੁਚਤੁਰਸੁਜਾਨ ॥
Your body is made up of the five elements; O clever and wise one - know this well.
Saloks 11 of Salok Mehalla 9 - Adi Guru Granth Sahib
The Vaara'n of Bhai Gurdas, considered within the Sikh intellectual tradition as the ਕੁੰਜੀ, or key in understanding the Adi Guru Granth Sahib (along with his 'Kabit Savaiye'), states the following regarding the five elements:
ਰਕਤਬਿੰਦ ਕੀ ਦੇਹਿ ਰਚਿ ਪਾਂਚ ਤਤ ਕੀ ਜੜਤ ਜੜਾਈ।
From the blood of the Mother [ਰਕਤ] and the seminal fluids of the Father [ਬਿੰਦ] was the body created [ਰਕਤਬਿੰਦ ਕੀ ਦੇਹਿ ਰਚਿ], while the five elements were rooted accordingly within the body [ਪਾਂਚ ਤਤ ਕੀ ਜੜਤ ਜੜਾਈ].
![ਰਕਤਬਿੰਦ ਕੀ ਦੇਹਿ ਰਚਿ ਪਾਂਚ ਤਤ ਕੀ ਜੜਤ ਜੜਾਈ।From the blood of the Mother [ਰਕਤ] and the seminal fluids of the Father [ਬਿੰਦ] was the body created [ਰਕਤਬਿੰਦ ਕੀ ਦੇਹਿ ਰਚਿ], while the five elements were rooted accordingly within the body [ਪਾਂਚ ਤਤ ਕੀ ਜੜਤ ਜੜਾਈ].](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eryi-1rVkAEtrXm.jpg "ਰਕਤਬਿੰਦ ਕੀ ਦੇਹਿ ਰਚਿ ਪਾਂਚ ਤਤ ਕੀ ਜੜਤ ਜੜਾਈ।From the blood of the Mother [ਰਕਤ] and the seminal fluids of the Father [ਬਿੰਦ] was the body created [ਰਕਤਬਿੰਦ ਕੀ ਦੇਹਿ ਰਚਿ], while the five elements were rooted accordingly within the body [ਪਾਂਚ ਤਤ ਕੀ ਜੜਤ ਜੜਾਈ].")
From the blood of the Mother [ਰਕਤ] and the seminal fluids of the Father [ਬਿੰਦ] was the body created [ਰਕਤਬਿੰਦ ਕੀ ਦੇਹਿ ਰਚਿ], while the five elements were rooted accordingly within the body [ਪਾਂਚ ਤਤ ਕੀ ਜੜਤ ਜੜਾਈ].
ਪਉਣ ਪਾਣੀ ਬੈਸੰਤਰੋ ਚਉਥੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਸੰਗਿ ਮਿਲਾਈ।
Air [ਪਉਣ], Water [ਪਾਣੀ], Fire [ਬੈਸੰਤਰੋ], and the fourth [ਚਉਥੀ], Earth [ਧਰਤੀ], were combined together [ਸੰਗਿ ਮਿਲਾਈ].
![ਪਉਣ ਪਾਣੀ ਬੈਸੰਤਰੋ ਚਉਥੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਸੰਗਿ ਮਿਲਾਈ।Air [ਪਉਣ], Water [ਪਾਣੀ], Fire [ਬੈਸੰਤਰੋ], and the fourth [ਚਉਥੀ], Earth [ਧਰਤੀ], were combined together [ਸੰਗਿ ਮਿਲਾਈ].](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EryjDdBVkAM-yk6.jpg "ਪਉਣ ਪਾਣੀ ਬੈਸੰਤਰੋ ਚਉਥੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਸੰਗਿ ਮਿਲਾਈ।Air [ਪਉਣ], Water [ਪਾਣੀ], Fire [ਬੈਸੰਤਰੋ], and the fourth [ਚਉਥੀ], Earth [ਧਰਤੀ], were combined together [ਸੰਗਿ ਮਿਲਾਈ].")
Air [ਪਉਣ], Water [ਪਾਣੀ], Fire [ਬੈਸੰਤਰੋ], and the fourth [ਚਉਥੀ], Earth [ਧਰਤੀ], were combined together [ਸੰਗਿ ਮਿਲਾਈ].
ਪੰਚਮਿ ਵਿਚਿ ਆਕਾਸ ਕਰਿ ਕਰਤਾ ਛਟਮੁ ਅਦਿਸਟੁ ਸਮਾਈ।
The fifth element, Ether/Space [ਆਕਾਸ], was added [ਪੰਚਮਿ ਵਿਚਿ ਆਕਾਸ ਕਰਿ], while the sixth [ਛਟਮੁ] Creator Being [ਕਰਤਾ] invisibly permeated throughout his creation [ਕਰਤਾ ਛਟਮੁ ਅਦਿਸਟੁ ਸਮਾਈ].
![ਪੰਚਮਿ ਵਿਚਿ ਆਕਾਸ ਕਰਿ ਕਰਤਾ ਛਟਮੁ ਅਦਿਸਟੁ ਸਮਾਈ।The fifth element, Ether/Space [ਆਕਾਸ], was added [ਪੰਚਮਿ ਵਿਚਿ ਆਕਾਸ ਕਰਿ], while the sixth [ਛਟਮੁ] Creator Being [ਕਰਤਾ] invisibly permeated throughout his creation [ਕਰਤਾ ਛਟਮੁ ਅਦਿਸਟੁ ਸਮਾਈ].](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EryjNeDUcAA4xt1.jpg "ਪੰਚਮਿ ਵਿਚਿ ਆਕਾਸ ਕਰਿ ਕਰਤਾ ਛਟਮੁ ਅਦਿਸਟੁ ਸਮਾਈ।The fifth element, Ether/Space [ਆਕਾਸ], was added [ਪੰਚਮਿ ਵਿਚਿ ਆਕਾਸ ਕਰਿ], while the sixth [ਛਟਮੁ] Creator Being [ਕਰਤਾ] invisibly permeated throughout his creation [ਕਰਤਾ ਛਟਮੁ ਅਦਿਸਟੁ ਸਮਾਈ].")
The fifth element, Ether/Space [ਆਕਾਸ], was added [ਪੰਚਮਿ ਵਿਚਿ ਆਕਾਸ ਕਰਿ], while the sixth [ਛਟਮੁ] Creator Being [ਕਰਤਾ] invisibly permeated throughout his creation [ਕਰਤਾ ਛਟਮੁ ਅਦਿਸਟੁ ਸਮਾਈ].
ਪੰਚ ਤਤ ਪੰਚੀਸ ਗੁਨਿ ਸਤ੍ਰ ਮਿਤ੍ਰ ਮਿਲਿ ਦੇਹਿ ਬਣਾਈ।
The union [ਮਿਲਿ] of the five elements [ਪੰਚ ਤਤ], & the 25 qualities [ਪੰਚੀਸ ਗੁਨਿ] of the elements [ਪੰਚ ਤਤ ਪੰਚੀਸ ਗੁਨਿ], who were mutually irreconcilable to one another, were fused together to create the body [ਸਤ੍ਰ ਮਿਤ੍ਰ ਮਿਲਿ ਦੇਹਿ ਬਣਾਈ]
![ਪੰਚ ਤਤ ਪੰਚੀਸ ਗੁਨਿ ਸਤ੍ਰ ਮਿਤ੍ਰ ਮਿਲਿ ਦੇਹਿ ਬਣਾਈ।The union [ਮਿਲਿ] of the five elements [ਪੰਚ ਤਤ], & the 25 qualities [ਪੰਚੀਸ ਗੁਨਿ] of the elements [ਪੰਚ ਤਤ ਪੰਚੀਸ ਗੁਨਿ], who were mutually irreconcilable to one another, were fused together to create the body [ਸਤ੍ਰ ਮਿਤ੍ਰ ਮਿਲਿ ਦੇਹਿ ਬਣਾਈ]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EryjsEYUYAMsyrO.jpg "ਪੰਚ ਤਤ ਪੰਚੀਸ ਗੁਨਿ ਸਤ੍ਰ ਮਿਤ੍ਰ ਮਿਲਿ ਦੇਹਿ ਬਣਾਈ।The union [ਮਿਲਿ] of the five elements [ਪੰਚ ਤਤ], & the 25 qualities [ਪੰਚੀਸ ਗੁਨਿ] of the elements [ਪੰਚ ਤਤ ਪੰਚੀਸ ਗੁਨਿ], who were mutually irreconcilable to one another, were fused together to create the body [ਸਤ੍ਰ ਮਿਤ੍ਰ ਮਿਲਿ ਦੇਹਿ ਬਣਾਈ]")
The union [ਮਿਲਿ] of the five elements [ਪੰਚ ਤਤ], & the 25 qualities [ਪੰਚੀਸ ਗੁਨਿ] of the elements [ਪੰਚ ਤਤ ਪੰਚੀਸ ਗੁਨਿ], who were mutually irreconcilable to one another, were fused together to create the body [ਸਤ੍ਰ ਮਿਤ੍ਰ ਮਿਲਿ ਦੇਹਿ ਬਣਾਈ]
ਖਾਣੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਚਲਿਤੁ ਕਰਿ ਆਵਾਗਉਣੁ ਚਰਿਤ੍ਰ ਦਿਖਾਈ।
The four methods of birth [ਖਾਣੀ], and the four categories of speech [ਬਾਣੀ] were then established [ਖਾਣੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਚਲਿਤੁ ਕਰਿ], and the cycle of transmigration, of constant life and death, was introduced [ਆਵਾਗਉਣੁ ਚਰਿਤ੍ਰ ਦਿਖਾਈ].
![ਖਾਣੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਚਲਿਤੁ ਕਰਿ ਆਵਾਗਉਣੁ ਚਰਿਤ੍ਰ ਦਿਖਾਈ।The four methods of birth [ਖਾਣੀ], and the four categories of speech [ਬਾਣੀ] were then established [ਖਾਣੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਚਲਿਤੁ ਕਰਿ], and the cycle of transmigration, of constant life and death, was introduced [ਆਵਾਗਉਣੁ ਚਰਿਤ੍ਰ ਦਿਖਾਈ].](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eryjy4XVQAARYZS.jpg "ਖਾਣੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਚਲਿਤੁ ਕਰਿ ਆਵਾਗਉਣੁ ਚਰਿਤ੍ਰ ਦਿਖਾਈ।The four methods of birth [ਖਾਣੀ], and the four categories of speech [ਬਾਣੀ] were then established [ਖਾਣੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਚਲਿਤੁ ਕਰਿ], and the cycle of transmigration, of constant life and death, was introduced [ਆਵਾਗਉਣੁ ਚਰਿਤ੍ਰ ਦਿਖਾਈ].")
The four methods of birth [ਖਾਣੀ], and the four categories of speech [ਬਾਣੀ] were then established [ਖਾਣੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਚਲਿਤੁ ਕਰਿ], and the cycle of transmigration, of constant life and death, was introduced [ਆਵਾਗਉਣੁ ਚਰਿਤ੍ਰ ਦਿਖਾਈ].
ਚਉਰਾਸੀਹ ਲਖ ਜੋਨਿ ਉਪਾਈ ॥੨॥
In this manner, 8.4 million life forms were designed by the Almighty.
ਵਾਰਾਂ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ : ਵਾਰ ੧ ਪਉੜੀ ੨ ਪੰ. ੭
(A personal translation).
In this manner, 8.4 million life forms were designed by the Almighty.
ਵਾਰਾਂ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ : ਵਾਰ ੧ ਪਉੜੀ ੨ ਪੰ. ੭
(A personal translation).
So, as we can see, there are five elements - Air, Water, Earth, Fire, and Ether/Space. But what are the 25 'Prakirtis', or the ਪੰਚੀਸ ਗੁਨਿ that derive from the five elements?
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Pandit Narain Singh Giani's Bhai Gurdas's Vaara'n Steek (Nirmala Sampardaya)
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Pandit Narain Singh Giani's Bhai Gurdas's Vaara'n Steek (Nirmala Sampardaya)
According to Sodhi Teja Singh's 'Gian Prakash', the five elements/Panj Tat, also known as the 'Maha Tat', are the elements which are the basis of the ਅਸਥੂਲ ਸਰੀਰ/Asthool Sareer, or the gross mortal physical body...
...that eats, breathes, and physically acts, also known as the 'Linga Sareer'. These five elements then have 25 'gunas' or Prakirtis, which are as follows:
The 5 'prakirtis' of ਆਕਾਸ਼ [space/ether]: ਲੋਭ [greed], ਮੋਹ [attachment], ਹੰਕਾਰ [egoism/pride], ਦੁੱਖ [grief/anguish], and ਪ੍ਰੀਤ [love].
![The 5 'prakirtis' of ਆਕਾਸ਼ [space/ether]: ਲੋਭ [greed], ਮੋਹ [attachment], ਹੰਕਾਰ [egoism/pride], ਦੁੱਖ [grief/anguish], and ਪ੍ਰੀਤ [love].](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ErzKSGSVoAA2Rmx.jpg "The 5 'prakirtis' of ਆਕਾਸ਼ [space/ether]: ਲੋਭ [greed], ਮੋਹ [attachment], ਹੰਕਾਰ [egoism/pride], ਦੁੱਖ [grief/anguish], and ਪ੍ਰੀਤ [love].")
The 5 'prakirtis' of ਪਉਣ [air]: ਬਲ [strength], ਦੌੜਨਾ [running], ਪਸਰਨਾ [sprawling or lying completely flat], ਸੰਕੋਚਨਾ [compression, forbearance, contemplation], and ਵਧਾਣਾ [escalation].
The 5 'prakirtis' of ਅਗਨੀ [fire] : ਨੀਂਦ [sleep/slumber], ਕ੍ਰਾਂਤੀ [revolution, a burning desire/passion to acquire praise and fame, ego], ਭੁੱਖ [hunger], ਪਿਆਸ [thirst], and ਆਲਸ [laziness].
![The 5 'prakirtis' of ਅਗਨੀ [fire] : ਨੀਂਦ [sleep/slumber], ਕ੍ਰਾਂਤੀ [revolution, a burning desire/passion to acquire praise and fame, ego], ਭੁੱਖ [hunger], ਪਿਆਸ [thirst], and ਆਲਸ [laziness].](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ErzMfUnVEAAG0j0.jpg "The 5 'prakirtis' of ਅਗਨੀ [fire] : ਨੀਂਦ [sleep/slumber], ਕ੍ਰਾਂਤੀ [revolution, a burning desire/passion to acquire praise and fame, ego], ਭੁੱਖ [hunger], ਪਿਆਸ [thirst], and ਆਲਸ [laziness].")
![The 5 'prakirtis' of ਅਗਨੀ [fire] : ਨੀਂਦ [sleep/slumber], ਕ੍ਰਾਂਤੀ [revolution, a burning desire/passion to acquire praise and fame, ego], ਭੁੱਖ [hunger], ਪਿਆਸ [thirst], and ਆਲਸ [laziness].](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ErzMjGoU0AEKWI1.jpg "The 5 'prakirtis' of ਅਗਨੀ [fire] : ਨੀਂਦ [sleep/slumber], ਕ੍ਰਾਂਤੀ [revolution, a burning desire/passion to acquire praise and fame, ego], ਭੁੱਖ [hunger], ਪਿਆਸ [thirst], and ਆਲਸ [laziness].")
The 5 'prakirtis' of ਜਲ [water] : ਲਹੂ [blood], ਪਸੀਨਾ [sweat], ਪਿਤ [bile], ਕਫ [phlegm], and ਵੀਰਜ [semen].
![The 5 'prakirtis' of ਜਲ [water] : ਲਹੂ [blood], ਪਸੀਨਾ [sweat], ਪਿਤ [bile], ਕਫ [phlegm], and ਵੀਰਜ [semen].](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ErzSA52VoAAif3q.jpg "The 5 'prakirtis' of ਜਲ [water] : ਲਹੂ [blood], ਪਸੀਨਾ [sweat], ਪਿਤ [bile], ਕਫ [phlegm], and ਵੀਰਜ [semen].")
![The 5 'prakirtis' of ਜਲ [water] : ਲਹੂ [blood], ਪਸੀਨਾ [sweat], ਪਿਤ [bile], ਕਫ [phlegm], and ਵੀਰਜ [semen].](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ErzSBuOUwAIAxzN.jpg "The 5 'prakirtis' of ਜਲ [water] : ਲਹੂ [blood], ਪਸੀਨਾ [sweat], ਪਿਤ [bile], ਕਫ [phlegm], and ਵੀਰਜ [semen].")
The 5 'prakirtis' of ਪ੍ਰਿਥਵੀ [earth] : ਚੰਮ [skin], ਹੱਡ [bone], ਮਾਸ [flesh], ਨਾੜੀ [nerves, veins, tendons], and ਰੋਮ [body-hair].
![The 5 'prakirtis' of ਪ੍ਰਿਥਵੀ [earth] : ਚੰਮ [skin], ਹੱਡ [bone], ਮਾਸ [flesh], ਨਾੜੀ [nerves, veins, tendons], and ਰੋਮ [body-hair].](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ErzXCbxU0AIyL8W.png "The 5 'prakirtis' of ਪ੍ਰਿਥਵੀ [earth] : ਚੰਮ [skin], ਹੱਡ [bone], ਮਾਸ [flesh], ਨਾੜੀ [nerves, veins, tendons], and ਰੋਮ [body-hair].")
![The 5 'prakirtis' of ਪ੍ਰਿਥਵੀ [earth] : ਚੰਮ [skin], ਹੱਡ [bone], ਮਾਸ [flesh], ਨਾੜੀ [nerves, veins, tendons], and ਰੋਮ [body-hair].](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ErzXDrSVoAAbHwE.jpg "The 5 'prakirtis' of ਪ੍ਰਿਥਵੀ [earth] : ਚੰਮ [skin], ਹੱਡ [bone], ਮਾਸ [flesh], ਨਾੜੀ [nerves, veins, tendons], and ਰੋਮ [body-hair].")
These are the 5 elements, and the 25 gunas and/or Prakirtis of the five elements, which exist throughout the Saṃsāra, the cyclic circuitous world of life and death. These elements also constitute what is known as Maya, the materialistic world.
Within the Sikh tradition, the ultimate goal is to achieve complete union with the Divine, the non-dualistic all-pervading Creator, in which as a result, one breaks from the cycle of life and death, and acheives liberation, Mukti and/or Moksha.
Apologies for the typos.
Correction: Linga Sareer is not another word for the Asthool. I have mistakenly added it to the thread. Apologies.
