Last updated: December 21, 2023
What Does
Pavan Mean?
Pavan is the Sanskrit word for “air.” It is one of the five elements of the universe, or pancha mahabhuta, which the human body is also thought to be made up of.
The list of the pancha mahabhuta as described in Hindu philosophy includes earth (bhumi), water (jala), fire (agni) and sky (aakash), in addition to pavan.
The Hindu belief system states that these five elements dissolve upon death, to be retained in the cycle of life. That is, each element reaches its primordial source to balance nature and, thus, the cycle of life.
Yogapedia Explains Pavan
In the context of understanding how the body works, pavan, also called vayu, refers to the oxygen and carbon dioxide contained in it. It is also related to wisdom and the mind, as well as to the spirit.
The word is used to signify any part of the overall network of breath and wind in the world, including the first winds that blew when the universe was created. The five elements are also associated with the five senses, with pavan being associated with the sense of touch.
The importance of pavan is seen in the fact that pranayama (control of the breath) plays such a vital part in yoga practice.
During These Times of Stress and Uncertainty Your Doshas May Be Unbalanced.
To help you bring attention to your doshas and to identify what your predominant dosha is, we created the following quiz.
Try not to stress over every question, but simply answer based off your intuition. After all, you know yourself better than anyone else.