ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Mahābhūta

Mahābhūtas are the five basic elements that make up everything in the world around us. These elements are earth, water, fire, air, and ether.

Imagine you are playing with a big box of Lego blocks. The mahābhūtas are like the different types of Lego blocks that you use to build something. Each Lego block has a different shape, size, and color, and they can be put together in different ways to create all sorts of things.

Similarly, the mahābhūtas are the building blocks of the universe. Everything we see, touch, taste, and smell is made up of these elements in different combinations.

Earth represents solidity and is the element that gives things shape and form. It is like the solid base of a Lego structure.

Water is fluid and represents the element of change. It is like the water you pour to make a Lego foundation wet so that the pieces stick together better.

Fire is the element of transformation and represents energy. It is like the heat that you generate when you rub two Lego pieces together.

Air represents movement and is the element of motion. It is like the wind that blows on a Lego structure, making it sway.

Ether represents space and is the element of expansion. It is like the empty space around a Lego structure that allows you to keep adding more pieces to it.

In summary, the mahābhūtas are the fundamental elements that make up everything in the universe, like the Lego blocks that make up all sorts of structures. Each element has its own unique properties and together they create the world we live in.