The five elements that shape our lives
We cannot escape the influence of the five elements in our life. If we look at the world all around us, we see their influence very clearly. The earth we stand on, the water we drink, the sun’s heat we depend on, the air we breathe, and the space in which we move about constitute the five elements. They are common to all irrespective of nationality, religion, social status, wealth, gender and our individual belief systems. These five elements are also at play in our gross physical body.
There is a deeper significance to these five elements. They represent five important aspects of our lives without which we cannot live a comfortable life.
The earth element represents our mothers
The water element represents our fathers
The air element represents our teachers, Gurus, or anything that imparts us knowledge
The fire element represents protective forces which preserve life and nations such as the Army, Navy, Airforce, Police
The space element represents the rest of humanity
The land is the most important aspect of our lives. Without firm ground to stand on, we cannot live. Earth gives birth to plants which serve as food for us. The earth continues to support us throughout life. Land should not be left idle. It should be used for productive purposes such as growing crops, building industry, schools and so on, and anything else which benefits the progress of humanity. Earth gives unconditionally. We extract resources and other valuables from Mother Earth, the least we can do is to look upon our plant as our mother and try to protect Nature. Our mothers gave birth to us, and without our mothers, we would not be here today. Just as we safeguard our land and property as ours, we should safeguard our mothers. Mothers are the source of humanity. Their contribution should not be forgotten. Similarly, the earth’s contribution to the progress of humanity should never be forgotten.
After land, the next essential thing for survival is water. The human body is comprised mostly of water. Just as we would like to keep the water within our body clean and healthy, we should also take care of external bodies of water such as streams, lakes, rivers, and oceans. Water is like our father. Just like water is always flowing and is not stagnant and water helps the earth become fertile and bear crops, husbands should help their wives and should offer full cooperation and husbands should never be lazy. They should always be active. We are a product of our mother and father. If there is only water, plants cannot grow. Similarly, if there is land but not water, there will be famine. Water and earth when they combine together results in the growth of life. Similarly, our parents not only raised us when were children, but they continue to pray for our wellbeing and success throughout our lives. Parents expect nothing in return for their blessings.
After parents, come our teachers. They include school and college instructors, our Gurus, and for that matter, anyone or anything that guides us on the correct path is a teacher. Even the internet can be a teacher if we learn to use the information in a proper manner. Teachers are like the air element. In a Guru-disciple relationship, the Guru and the disciple should be flexible and adaptable to one another. The Guru should also give correct advice for the betterment of the disciple, and in turn, the disciple should be honest. They should be like grass. When there is water or wind, the grass bends but does not break. Otherwise, it stands straight. Similarly, Guru and the disciple should have little or no ego and be willing to bend to accommodate others, while remaining straight and honest.
We have great freedom in our democracy. This freedom is a gift and should not be taken for granted. Thanks to the defense forces (Army, Navy, Airforce) along with the Police, Fire Fighters and other first responders we are safe and free. They are like the fire element. Fire can burn anything to ashes, it can also be useful in providing heat, as a source for cooking food, etc. Defense forces don’t misuse their power and authority. They should always be respected by the public. Their life is always in danger and they willingly put their lives on the line for our benefit. Similar to the defense forces, the police also protect. Both are powerful like lions and tigers. However, there is a difference. The defense forces are like caged lions, there is a lot of oversight which keeps them honest and duty bound. The police, some not all, are like free lions, they trouble people they have sworn to protect. This should not be the case. If the police behave as the defense forces do, we will be even safer and they will gain the respect of the masses.
The space element represents the people of this world. Just as space cannot be divided, people should also be united and should resist any divisive forces. We are all equal. No one should be jealous of another. Name, fame, and wealth follow knowledge. Some have all of them but otherwise, we are all equal. There is no need to compare our lives with someone else’s life. If we work hard, we reap the benefit. If we don’t work hard we won’t. It is as simple as that. We should not trouble others but focus on our work and on bettering the world.
If these five elements are in proper alignment, namely, parents, teachers, defense and police, and the population at large, the country will grow and prosper. Just as the five natural elements don’t expect anything in return if we work as a duty and not for expectations, we will be in harmony with the rest of existence. Life will then naturally be peaceful, prosperous and full of happiness.
Blessings to all
Swami Ponnurangam
April 19, 2019
There is a deeper significance to these five elements. They represent five important aspects of our lives without which we cannot live a comfortable life.
The earth element represents our mothers
The water element represents our fathers
The air element represents our teachers, Gurus, or anything that imparts us knowledge
The fire element represents protective forces which preserve life and nations such as the Army, Navy, Airforce, Police
The space element represents the rest of humanity
The land is the most important aspect of our lives. Without firm ground to stand on, we cannot live. Earth gives birth to plants which serve as food for us. The earth continues to support us throughout life. Land should not be left idle. It should be used for productive purposes such as growing crops, building industry, schools and so on, and anything else which benefits the progress of humanity. Earth gives unconditionally. We extract resources and other valuables from Mother Earth, the least we can do is to look upon our plant as our mother and try to protect Nature. Our mothers gave birth to us, and without our mothers, we would not be here today. Just as we safeguard our land and property as ours, we should safeguard our mothers. Mothers are the source of humanity. Their contribution should not be forgotten. Similarly, the earth’s contribution to the progress of humanity should never be forgotten.
After land, the next essential thing for survival is water. The human body is comprised mostly of water. Just as we would like to keep the water within our body clean and healthy, we should also take care of external bodies of water such as streams, lakes, rivers, and oceans. Water is like our father. Just like water is always flowing and is not stagnant and water helps the earth become fertile and bear crops, husbands should help their wives and should offer full cooperation and husbands should never be lazy. They should always be active. We are a product of our mother and father. If there is only water, plants cannot grow. Similarly, if there is land but not water, there will be famine. Water and earth when they combine together results in the growth of life. Similarly, our parents not only raised us when were children, but they continue to pray for our wellbeing and success throughout our lives. Parents expect nothing in return for their blessings.
After parents, come our teachers. They include school and college instructors, our Gurus, and for that matter, anyone or anything that guides us on the correct path is a teacher. Even the internet can be a teacher if we learn to use the information in a proper manner. Teachers are like the air element. In a Guru-disciple relationship, the Guru and the disciple should be flexible and adaptable to one another. The Guru should also give correct advice for the betterment of the disciple, and in turn, the disciple should be honest. They should be like grass. When there is water or wind, the grass bends but does not break. Otherwise, it stands straight. Similarly, Guru and the disciple should have little or no ego and be willing to bend to accommodate others, while remaining straight and honest.
We have great freedom in our democracy. This freedom is a gift and should not be taken for granted. Thanks to the defense forces (Army, Navy, Airforce) along with the Police, Fire Fighters and other first responders we are safe and free. They are like the fire element. Fire can burn anything to ashes, it can also be useful in providing heat, as a source for cooking food, etc. Defense forces don’t misuse their power and authority. They should always be respected by the public. Their life is always in danger and they willingly put their lives on the line for our benefit. Similar to the defense forces, the police also protect. Both are powerful like lions and tigers. However, there is a difference. The defense forces are like caged lions, there is a lot of oversight which keeps them honest and duty bound. The police, some not all, are like free lions, they trouble people they have sworn to protect. This should not be the case. If the police behave as the defense forces do, we will be even safer and they will gain the respect of the masses.
The space element represents the people of this world. Just as space cannot be divided, people should also be united and should resist any divisive forces. We are all equal. No one should be jealous of another. Name, fame, and wealth follow knowledge. Some have all of them but otherwise, we are all equal. There is no need to compare our lives with someone else’s life. If we work hard, we reap the benefit. If we don’t work hard we won’t. It is as simple as that. We should not trouble others but focus on our work and on bettering the world.
If these five elements are in proper alignment, namely, parents, teachers, defense and police, and the population at large, the country will grow and prosper. Just as the five natural elements don’t expect anything in return if we work as a duty and not for expectations, we will be in harmony with the rest of existence. Life will then naturally be peaceful, prosperous and full of happiness.
Blessings to all
Swami Ponnurangam
April 19, 2019
