The Eternal Cosmic Abode- Akasha, Space or Ether ( Element-V)

The boundless expanse of the Space or Akasha, not only serves as the Universal or Cosmic Abode of witness and protection but also fills the other elements in the required spaces for all the life forms. In fact, it is credited as the Mother of all elements. It is the “First” of the Five Great elements of Pancha Mahabhutas. Often we associate emptiness with Space or Akash. But essentially it is the space in which all the other four elements namely Air, Fire, Water and Earth come together as Creation. In a way, Space is more than just the absence of something. It existed before everything and it is that which everything will return to.

When an individual soul moves from the Divine Source, it is first filled up with only one element- the element of Divinity- the Primary Element- the Ether or the Akash.

“Akasha” in Sanskrit translates to all-enclosing, omnipresent or all-pervading. It is the most subtle of the elements and a “Cosmic Home” within which all objects of the Universe exist. Its luminous emptiness serves as the basis for higher spiritual experiences.

Everyone wants to have their space in the vast expanse of life forgetting that Space in itself is a vast expanse. Right from the embryo formation till we are put to restful sleep on the lap of Mother Earth, the Ether or Space element is responsible for the development, growth and change to happen by creating Space for the other elements to fill. In the body, the Ether element is found within the empty spaces like the hollow of the empty intestines, blood vessels, bladder and the lungs, in the most delicate channels called “Nadis”, etc.

Space & Our Body

Our body is made up of a lot of “Spaces” for free movement of air, blood, nutrition, metabolic wastes etc. These spaces are found within the organs of our body.

There is a space inside and outside of each cell that enables the normal functioning of the cells. Minute pores in the skin excrete sweat and absorb moisture and other external applications.

Space in the Oesophagus is essential for transporting the food to the Stomach.

Space in the Large Intestine is important to absorb the essential nutrients, water and also to excrete the metabolic wastes.

Space in the Ears helps us to receive the sound waves.

Space in the Eyes helps in free movement of eyeballs.

Space in the Nose helps in breathing.

Space in the Heart enables it to pump and receive the blood.

Space in the Skull helps in protecting the brain.

Space in the Uterus helps in implantation and development of a foetus.

Space within the Ureters helps in excreting Urine.

Spaces between blood vessels, muscles, tendons, soft tissues, spaces in joints, the passages in the channels and ducts of the body etc, all these small and large Spaces in the body correspond to Akasha. In essence, all the vital functions like respiration, circulation, digestion, excretion and reproduction, muscular, renal, lymphatic and nervous systems necessitate appropriate, well-defined spaces involving the Ether or Akash Element. In a nutshell, all the openings, spaces, passages in our body corresponds to the Akash Element.

Personality

When you enjoy an unhampered, free-flowing Ether element, you are able to accommodate changes and challenges with much ease because you are not rigid in expecting things the way you like to be, but rather tend to be flexible and open-minded.

If your Space Element is dominant, then, you will possess a soft, light-weight body. The various openings in the body and internal spaces will be well-defined. 

You will possess a great understanding of sound and its multiple shades and tones. As a Space Element dominant individual you will display expansiveness, a love of cleanliness, etc. You may also be elusive and passive at times.

A clarified Ether element also assists in imparting Wisdom. Wisdom bestows you with strong analytical skills which in turn leads to rational thoughts and aids in better decision making. The Ether element plays an immense role in influencing the thought process. Being a source of Cosmic Wisdom, this Ether element also bestows you with intuitive feelings or intuition.

If you are a Space dominant personality, you tend to be very organised and logical. You plan things well but get frustrated when they go wrong. You are adventurous and seek challenges and like to be the First and the Best.

Though very self-disciplined, you tend to get angry easily and are prone to shouting.

You are confident, motivated at work, righteous, generous and compassionate and can cooperate with others. Mostly you listen to others with a smiling face but hesitate to speak. Though you think a lot while talking, you tend to talk about monotonous topics with distorted views.

You can speedily assess most situations and spring into actions.

Imbalance

If the Ether or Space element is balanced in the body, your physical and mental health are at their best. All the spaces in the body are normal and intact, free from any blockages. This certainly will enable free movement of other elements in the body. You will have a clear vision and goals. You are great planners and decision-makers when your Space element is in balance.

When the Space Element is out of balance, you tend to become angry and frustrated. You may get depressed easily. You may also suffer from frequent Headaches, Migraines, Hormonal imbalances, High blood pressure, Eye problems including irritation or watering eyes, Tendency to overwork, Irregular Menstrual Cycle, PreMenstrual Syndrome, Acne, Boils, Eczema,  Bloating, Breast cysts and tenderness, Constipation, Haemorrhoids, Flatulence, Fatigue, Morning grogginess, Nerve tension, Muscle pain (especially in the neck and upper back), Weak nails, Nausea, Vomiting, Dizziness, allergies, problems on the right side of the body, etc.

The Space Element also governs the nervous system.  Trembling, spasms, jerky movements, seizures, strokes, lack of coordination, and being accident-prone can all be rooted in an imbalance in the Space element.

An increase in the Ether element leads to an increase in space and expansion of cells and organs beyond the normal size or limits. Some of the examples of a surplus imbalance of Ether element include an increase in the size of the heart known as Cardiomegaly, enlargement of Liver and Spleen known as Hepatomegaly and Splenomegaly respectively, enlarged or twisted veins known as varicose veins, etc.

When there is a deficient Space element in the body it leads to a reduction of spaces, constrictions and physiological blocks. This, in turn, obstructs the free distribution of nutrients, medicines, oxygen and essential elements to the required places. Further, the excretion of waste elements or metabolic wastes also gets clogged.

When there is a deficient Space element in the cells, it hinders the functions at the cellular level leading to damages of the cells, tissues and organs related to them. Examples of deficient Space element include narrowing of the space in the respiratory passage (Bronchiolar Constriction), narrowing of the space in the tubes carrying urine (Urethral Stricture), constriction of uterine passages leading to difficult menstruation ( Dysmenorrhoea), etc.

Tanmatra

The origin of Ether is Shabda. Sound and Ether are inseparable. Shabda is the primordial space from which the vibration emerges long before it takes the form of sound in the ear. Because of this inseparable relationship, Ear is considered to be the associated sense organ of the Ether element and mouth (voice) is its organ of action. Hence, hearing loss and loss of voice in an individual is associated with the problems connected with the Ether element in the body.

Organs

Liver and Gallbladder are the organs associated with the Space element. The Tastes associated with the Space element are Sour and Bitter. The Emotions associated with the Space element include Anger, Aggression, Irritability, Frustration, etc.

( To be continued….)

With Divine Love, 

Swarnalatha