EKSISTENSI MANUSIA SEBAGAI MIKROKOSMOS: ANALISIS KOSMOLOGIS–METAFISIK ATAS PANCA DHATU

Abstract

The Mendem Panca Dhatu ritual in Balinese Hinduism embodies a metaphysical and spiritual awareness of the interconnection between humans and the five fundamental elements: earth (pertiwi), water (apah), fire (teja), air (bayu), and ether (akasa). These elements, reflected in both Bhuana Alit (microcosm) and Bhuana Agung (macrocosm), are understood not merely as material substances but as vital energies sustaining human existence across biological, spiritual, and ethical dimensions. Drawing on Samkhya and Vedanta Darsana philosophies, the human body is viewed as requiring a balance between material activity and spiritual consciousness. Insights from the Paingala Upaniṣad illustrate how cosmic creation parallels human embodiment through the manifestation of the five elements. The ritual functions as a medium to harmonize the body and the self, internalizing cosmic principles in human life. Understanding Panca Dhatu thus transcends physical matter, emphasizing the interplay of energy, vibration, and spiritual awareness that links humans to the cosmos. This study highlights how traditional cultural practices can integrate metaphysical knowledge with spiritual science, offering an ethical, ecological, and philosophical framework to maintain human existential balance.