sky
The sky is an unobstructed view upward from the surface of the Earth. It includes the atmosphere and outer space. It may also be considered a place between the ground and outer space, thus distinct from outer space.
In the field of astronomy, ...
or aether in traditional Indian cosmology, depending on the religion. The term has also been adopted in Western
occult
The occult, in the broadest sense, is a category of esoteric supernatural beliefs and practices which generally fall outside the scope of religion and science, encompassing phenomena involving otherworldly agency, such as magic and mysticism a ...
ism and spiritualism in the late 19th century. In many modern Indo-Aryan languages and Dravidian languages the corresponding word (often rendered ''Akash'') retains a generic meaning of "sky".
Etymology and meaning
The word in Sanskrit is derived from a root meaning "to be". It appears as a masculine noun in Vedic Sanskrit with a generic meaning of "open space, vacuity". In Classical Sanskrit, the noun acquires the neuter gender and may express the concept of "sky; atmosphere" (''
Manusmrti
The ''Manusmṛiti'' ( sa, मनुस्मृति), also known as the ''Mānava-Dharmaśāstra'' or Laws of Manu, is one of the many legal texts and constitution among the many ' of Hinduism. In ancient India, the sages often wrote their ...
'', Shatapatha Brahmana). In Vedantic philosophy, the word acquires its technical meaning of "an ethereal fluid imagined as pervading the cosmos".
Hinduism
The direct translation of ''akasha'' is the word meaning "upper sky" or 'space' in Hinduism. In Vedantic Hinduism, ''akasha'' means the basis and essence of all things in the material world; the first element created. A Vedic mantra "''pṛthivyāpastejovāyurākāśāt''" indicates the sequence of initial appearance of the five basic gross elements-- first space appeared, from which appeared air, from that fire or energy, from which the water, and therefrom the earth. It is one of the ''Panchamahabhuta'', or "five gross elements"; its main characteristic is '' Shabda'' (sound).
The ''
Nyaya
(Sanskrit: न्याय, ''nyā-yá''), literally meaning "justice", "rules", "method" or "judgment",Vaisheshika'' schools of Hindu philosophy state that ''akasha'' or aether is the fifth physical substance, which is the substratum of the quality of sound. It is the one, eternal, and all-pervading physical substance, which is imperceptible.
According to the ''
Samkhya
''Samkhya'' or ''Sankya'' (; Sanskrit सांख्य), IAST: ') is a Dualism (Indian philosophy), dualistic Āstika and nāstika, school of Indian philosophy. It views reality as composed of two independent principles, ''purusha, puruṣa' ...
'' school, ''akasha'' is one of the five '' Mahābhūtas'' (grand physical elements) having the specific property of sound.
In the '' Shiva Purana'', ''akasha'' is identified as having "the only attribute of sound".
In the '' Linga Purana'' (Volume I, Chapter 65), ''akasha'' is translated as "firmament" and listed as one of the 1,008 names of Lord Shiva.
Jainism
''Akasha'' is space in the Jain conception of the cosmos. Akasha is one of the six ''dravyas'' (substances). It accommodates the other five substances, namely, sentient beings or souls ('' jīva''), non-sentient substance or matter (''
pudgala
In Jainism, Pudgala (or ') is one of the six Dravyas, or aspects of reality that fabricate the world we live in. The six ''dravya''s include the jiva and the fivefold divisions of ajiva (non-living) category: ''dharma'' (motion), ''adharma'' (r ...
''), principle of motion (''
dharma
Dharma (; sa, धर्म, dharma, ; pi, dhamma, italic=yes) is a key concept with multiple meanings in Indian religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and others. Although there is no direct single-word translation for '' ...
''), the principle of rest ('' adharma''), and the principle of time ('' kāla'').
''Akasha'' falls into the ''
Ajiva
''Ajiva'' (Sanskrit) is anything that has no soul or life, the polar opposite of " jīva" (soul). Because ''ajiva'' has no life, it does not accumulate ''karma'' and cannot die. Examples of ajiva include chairs, computers, paper, plastic, etc.
...
'' category, divided into two parts: ''Loakasa'' (the part occupied by the material world) and ''Aloakasa'' (the space beyond it which is absolutely void and empty). In ''Loakasa'' the universe forms only a part. Akasha is that which gives space and makes room for the existence of all extended substances.
At the summit of the ''lokākāśa'' is the '' Siddhashila'' (abode of the liberated souls).
phenomenology
Phenomenology may refer to:
Art
* Phenomenology (architecture), based on the experience of building materials and their sensory properties
Philosophy
* Phenomenology (philosophy), a branch of philosophy which studies subjective experiences and a ...
, ''akasha'' is divided into limited space (ākāsa-dhātu) and endless space (ajatākasā). The Vaibhāṣika, an early school of Buddhist philosophy, hold the existence of ''akasha'' to be real. Ākāsa is identified as the first arūpa jhāna, but usually translates as "infinite space."