Space

One of the five elements in traditional
Indian cosmology, the others being
earth, fire, water, and wind. Akasha or
“space” is not conceived in the sense of
“outer space,” but rather the space
between or within visible objects on
earth. For example, an “empty” pitcher
was not actually empty, but was filled
with space, until it was displaced by
some fluid. This elemental sense of
space was thus something closer to what
might be considered the “atmosphere,”
and was actually seen as having fluidlike
properties. In some philosophical
schools, each of the elements is paired
with one of the five senses; here akasha
is associated with hearing, since it
is believed to convey the sound from
place to place.