The Second Element - Air | Guruspeak.in

The Air element (Vayu) : An Expanded Understanding



Notes

What is Air element or Vayu Prana?

This is the second element of Panchabhoota and represents the second layer of atmospherere.  Simply put it is the energy which allows us to breathe and generate feelings or emotions, ability give and receive unconditional love.
The organs associated with the air energy is the heart / anahata chakra - lungs, heart,
Sensory organ - skin and hands. 
Info
We can hear and feel this energy, but cannot see, taste or smell this energy. 

Source of Air Energy: Atmosphere, the second layer below Ionosphere. 
- Associated Season: Spring, reflecting the rebirth, renewal, and new beginnings after a cold dormancy of winter. Spring symbolizes personal and spiritual growth, the opportunity for change, and new possibilities.
- Energy Centre: The Heart Chakra or Anahata Chakra, associated with the color green, represents feelings and compassion.
- Cultural Representation: Bheema the second brother of Pandavas (in Bhagavad Gita) embodies the qualities of the Anahata chakra.
- Characteristics: Air energy is audible, tangible, but is not visible, and lacks taste or smell.
- Balancing Techniques: Meditation and deep Breathing exercises like alom - vilom helps in harmonizing air element.
- Nutrition: Fruits and nuts with plenty of water. 
- Organizational Roles: Departments like Human Resources, Training and Development are driven by Air energy dynamics.
- Career Paths: Any career involving connecting with people and helping them, i.e. teaching, medicine and healthcare, are aligned with the attributes of Air energy.

Idea

Attributes of Air

All five elements, including Air, possess three fundamental qualities or gunas: Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas. Each brings its own set of characteristics,

Sattvic (Positive Attributes) - 

Characteristics: Clarity, Clear Communication without ambiguity, lightness, freshness, adaptability, gentle movement, inspiration, and purity.
Physical Effects: Balanced breathing, healthy skin sensation, graceful movements, and harmonious circulation.
Mental/Emotional Effects: Clarity of mind, creativity, alertness, adaptability, and open-mindedness; able to “go with the flow.”
Manifestation: Mind and body move easily; thoughts are quick but not scattered; communication is lively yet clear.

When Air is Sattvic:

One feels inspired, expression of unselfish and unconditional love, energetic, imaginative, and flexible.
There’s ease in expression and movement, both physically and emotionally.

2. Rajasic (Neutral Attributes) - 
Characteristics: Expression of selfish love with conditions, Rapid movement, restlessness, excitability, hidden desires and unpredictable feelings, over-stimulation, turbulence.

Physical Effects: Rapid or shallow breathing, excessive or jerky movements, fidgetiness.
Mental/Emotional Effects: Racing thoughts, talkativeness, mood swings, anxiety, difficulty focusing.
Manifestation: Mind is constantly stimulated; enthusiasm may turn into agitation or scattered energy.

When Air is Rajasic:


Hyperactivity and impulsiveness dominate.
Communication can become rushed or overwhelming; there’s a tendency to “jump” from one thought or activity to another.

3. Tamasic (Negative Attributes)
Qualities: Expression of hatred, Stagnation, heaviness, blockages, lack of movement, dullness, inertia.

Physical Effects: Poor circulation, numbness, sluggishness (in body or breath), lack of coordination.
Mental/Emotional Effects: Confusion, lack of inspiration, close-mindedness, withdrawal, or depression.
Manifestation: Loss of flexibility and mental agility; a heavy, uninspired feeling.

When Air is Tamasic:

There’s resistance to change, rigidity in thoughts and actions, and feeling “stuck.”
Communication suffers, and there’s a tendency toward silence, coldness, or disconnection.

Careers with Positive Air -  Careers that generate emotions like empathy, love, care, compassion, human resource management, teaching, medical professionals, Live Performance based singing & musical shows, etc.
Career bottlenecks with negative Air - fear, jealousy, lack of emotions, frigidity, insensitive person,
Season associated with Air prana - Spring

E2 A - Medical equipments and medicine manufacturing companies - Sun Pharma, Divis Labs, Cipla, Dr. Reddys Labs
Readymade garment manufacturing for both men and women like Shirts, trousers, sarees, etc. - Arrow, United Colors of Benetton, 
When the garment manufacturing companies also retail their garments through their own flagship stores then they fall into both E2A and E2B category - Turtle, Raymonds etc. 

E2 E - Fashion designers - Manish Malhotra, Sabyasachi, Neeta Lulla, etc.
Teachers & Educational Institutes - Heritage Institute of Technology, Harvard Business School, IIT, IIM etc.
Doctors & Hospitals and Nursing homes - Apollo Hospitals, 
Lawyers & Law firms - Fox & Mandal, 
Tours and travel companies - MakeMyTrip, (however all the travel websites which just review and share travel information like tripadvisor.com would come in E1 A category)
Clubs and Associations - Indian Chamber of Commerce, CII, Advertising Club, Tollygunge Club, Bengal Rowing Club etc. 
Social Media Networking companies - Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Telegram etc.
Manpower firms - placement consultants, Temp staffing and contract workers providing companies - ABC Consultants
Trainers & Training & development firms - 
Non-Profit, NGOs, Social cause organizations, Insurance companies like Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC - managing fear of uncertainty - managing emotions

Imbalance of Air element

Natural calamities associated -  Thunderstorms, 
Diseases associated in human beings  - Lung cancer, Heart blockage, Skin issues like rashes, itching, pigmentation etc. 



Quote
Unlock your organization’s true potential by identifying your business element and then aligning with the Five Elements. At Team Ideazfirst, we help companies identify, balance, and harmonize these foundational forces within their teams and workspaces—driving productivity, creativity, and sustainable growth.
Curious to know how the Five Elements can transform your business? More detailed and customized analysis is available for clients & subscribers
Reach out to us at rajeshk@ideazfirst.com for webinars, talks and workshops. 

About the Author - Rajesh Kishanpuriya

    • Related Articles

    • The fourth element - Water: An Expanded Understanding

      What is Water element or Jal tattwa? The Water element — Apas in Sanskrit, Jala in Ayurveda represents fluidity, nourishment, emotion, purification and adaptability. It plays a pivotal role in both nature and human systems governing fertility, ...

    • The third element - Fire or Agni tattwa: An Expanded Understanding

      What is Fire element or Agni tattwa? The Fire element—Tejas in Sanskrit, Agni in Ayurveda—symbolizes transformation, energy, motivation, and the power of change. It plays a pivotal role in both nature and human systems, governing digestion, ...

    • The Ether Element (Aether, Akasha, Space): An Expanded Understanding

      Ether What is Ether? Also referred as Space, Akasa, Vyom This is the first element of Panchabhoota and represents the top most layer of atmosphere, i.e. Ionosphere - The ionosphere is a critical link in the chain of Sun-Earth interactions. This ...

    • The fifth element (E5) - Earth

      What is Earth / Dharti - Simply put it is the energy which allows us to smell and manage our physical movements, by way of bones and muscles. The organs associated with the smelling and digesting faculty are nose and the entire muscular and skeleton ...

    • 6) The Bhagavad Gita’s Characters: A Journey of Self-Discovery

      Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda’s God Talks With Arjuna offers a spiritual interpretation of the Bhagavad Gita, presenting it as a timeless guide for self-realization and inner harmony. Guruji emphasizes that the Gita is not only a historical scripture ...