The UNIVERSE is the MACROCOSM

The treatise on Ayurveda begins with an exposition on the creation of the Universe, or the macrocosm.
It then goes on to explain how, finally human beings, or micro-cosms, are formed and are continually being formed from the macrocosm.
The link between the macrocosm and the microcosm is a permanent one.
It is this invisible link which binds every individual to the macrocosm through his various births as also in the intervening periods between his successive births.
Rebirth of each soul is taken for granted and no separate explanation is needed, nor given, for the same. This is a very vital concept in Ayurveda.

How the Macroscosm was formed:

Before Time began, the universe was envisaged by the Purush (who can be equated with Intelligent Consciousness, in our understanding ), from the primordial , unmanifested Prakriti (which can be equated with potential Energy, in our understanding).

As the universe began to evolve, unmanifested Prakriti began to continually evolve through various stages and started to become more and more manifest.
Two distinct streams of Prakriti then began to form from this manifesting Prakriti.

From the First Stream were formed the elements of the gross universe and from the Second Stream, the finer and intangible elements of the universe were formed.

Further formation of the gross and finer elements of the universe is a continuous process, which runs parallel to Time.
Simultaneously, Prakriti also causes destruction of the gross and finer elements of the universe that have been formed, leading to dissolution of the creation.

There is a perpetual cycle of creation and dissolution.
The interval between them is perceived by our own individual Consciousness as our manifest universe.
Infinite macrocosms are being created and dissolved all the while, but we are unaware of them or of the phenomenon itself.

From the first stream of Prakriti are formed the five basic elements of the entire universe, the panch mahabhootas:

Akaash ( ether )
Vayu ( wind )
Tej ( fire )
Aap ( water )
Prithvi ( earth )

are the five elements which thus came into existence.
Each preceding element contributes to the formation of the successive element.

This process is reversed during dissolution and the sequence then becomes Prithvi – Aap – Tej – Vayu – Akaash in succession.

The Three Doshas:
Admixtures of some of these five elements give rise to what are called, rather confusingly, the three Doshas, because the term ‘dosha’ does not automatically imply ‘fault’.
Earth and Water admix to give the kapha dosha
Fire, Water and Wind admix to give the pitta dosha
Wind and Ether admix to give the Vata dosha.

The panch mahabhootas and the three doshas are the structural units of the macrocosm.
They also are the structural units of the microcosms ( the microcosms are our individual selves ).

The five elements and the three doshas are made up of matter and so, have weight.

Because they are made up of matter, the five elements and three doshas are subject to and are governed by, the laws of physics, chemistry, etc.
The five elements and three doshas are, therefore, each in varying amount, perceptible to our senses or if not, their existence can at least be deduced and measured with the help of sophisticated instruments.
In other words, their existence is either obvious, or can be verified.

Measureability and proof of existence is a characteristic of those areas of the macrocosm and microcosm that are formed from the First Stream of Prakriti.
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The Second Stream of Prakriti is not manifest to us because it cannot be perceived with our Senses.

Its existence is neither obvious, nor can it be proved.

The Vedas say that this stream of Prakriti can be perceived in super and supra conscious states of the Mind, which some Yogis sometimes have.

The five tanmatras (pre-matters) are said to arise from this stream of Prakriti. They form the basis of our Inner Selves.