As a kid, when I used to wake up in the morning, the first thing I had to do was

to touch the ground and then my forehead, before putting my feet down on the
floor. It was a mandatory morning ritual at home which we six siblings followed
religiously. Back then my child mind could not understand the implication of
this action. I remember asking my grandma about this and the answer she gave,
further confused my innocent childmind. She said, “This is to ask forgiveness
from Mother earth, whom you have been kicking all day”.
Kicking? Earth, my mother? Do I have two mothers? Etc. etc.
In my teenage years during my training in Indian classical dance I got
introduced to a beautiful Shloka which made me finally understand and relate to
the morning ritual which I had been doing without understanding:
Samudra-Vasane Devi Parvata-Stana-Mannddale |
Vishnu-Patni Namas-Tubhyam Paada-Sparsham
Kshamasva-Me ||
Meaning: I salute you, O Bhumi Devi, who wears the clothes of the sea,
has the bosom of a mountain and is the wife of Lord Vishnu.
Please Forgive my Touch of the Feet on Earth, which is Your
Holy Body.
I also remember my mother narrating stories of Shri Krishna’s childhood. And
in one of the stories the infant Krishna eats mouthful of dirt/mud. His angered
mother, Maa Yashoda reprimands Krishna and forces him to open his mouth.
She sees in Krishna’s mouth the entire timeless universe instead of mud. Now
the (visual) which comes across in one’s mind can be passed off as myth. It has
also probably aroused several questions about ones understanding and beliefs.
But according to me it has a deeper philosophical meaning. In my
understanding it symbolises the concept of Panch Tatva ,which is the mortal
body constituting of all the five elements and among them Prithvi tatva being
the grossest giving body its form and shape. In each one of us all these five
elements exist, and this very common factor categorises us as living beings. It
also further consolidates the fact that though we function as separate units and
have individual existence, we all are small part of one entity, that is the
supreme one or BRAHMAN.
A couplet (doha) by Sant Kabir summarises the presence of Prithvi Tatva in us
so beautifully .
Matti kahe kumhaar se ,
tu kya raunde mohe,
ek din aisa aayega ,
mein raudungi tohe.
In the book of Genesis 3:19 the reference of mortal body to ashes and dust
reads,"By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the
ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will
return."
In my opinion Prithvi tattva has the utmost healing and calming power. We are
aware of various therapies in which mud is used. Interestingly our very own
body can also be a healer . A Kriya named as “mothers’ touch” or मत्तरू स्पर्श is
one such fine example of how a mothers’ caress soothes a child . Similarly, one
can give healing and calming energy to oneself and others just by touching and
caressing like a mother.
Recently I had the fortune to visit a remote village in my native state Manipur.
It is a tiny tribal village called LONGPI. I was amazed to find out that the
villagers are master craftsman of black pottery called “Longpi ham”. In this
black pottery the material used is a mixture of weathered clay and powdered
black Serpentine stone (chromite). To my delight , the National awardee Shilpa
Guru Shri Machihan Sasa was also there ,who have been trying to promote the
craft. He further explained that Chromite are high in Iron so the food cooked in
these utensils are rich with iron, which is good for anaemic people. Also the
pottery is entirely hand made with the use of wooden tools only and burnt to
1300 degree Celsius so the fire resistance can be achieved . No chemical etc are
added to give it a black colour. After proper burning is completed, the pots are
removed and sent for polishing with a local leaf ‘Machina’ or salt leaf to give
them a black lustre. 
The villagers also told me that the pottery was solely used by the royal houses
in olden times . Also because of its medicinal quality food cooked in these pots
are very good for pregnant women and new mothers .
Voila! Here I was, witnessing the amalgamation of all the tattva’s . Water to
bind the material, fire to make the pottery strong , and space and air already
present in its final form . All tattvas coming together to become a beautiful
pottery symbolising the earth element.
I bought many utensils from their workshop. I must say that the food cooked in
these pots have a very special taste and an earthy aroma. I have given away all
my non- stick pans, kadhai etc and replaced them with these black beauties.
Concluding with the quote:
“It is this earth that, like a kind mother, receives us at our birth, and sustains us
when born; it is this alone, of all the elements around us, that is never found an
enemy of man.”— Pliny the Elder

PICTURE OF my LUNGPI HAM (black pottery)