The Mahabhuthas

An important component underlying the theoretical basis of Ayurveda is the Sankhya darshana, an ancient Vedic system of ontology that enumerates several distinct categories (tattva) of existence. This manifestation of increasingly grosser forms of existence begins with the evolution of prakriti from purusha. Purusha represents the latent force of nature, unexpressed and unknowable, synonymous with brahman and the atma (‘great soul’) described in the literature of Vedanta.