1On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's Park … .

"Bhikkhus, there are these four elements. What four?

The earth element, the water element, the heat element, the air element.

These are the four elements."[n.247] Spk interprets each element by way of its physical characteristic or function: the earth element is the foundational element (patiṭṭhādhātu); the water element, the cohesive element (ābandhanadhātu); the fire element, the maturing element (paripācanadhātu); and the air element, the distensive element vitthambhanadhātu. For a more detailed treatment according to the commentarial method, see Vism 364–70 (Ppn 11:85–117).

1Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ vihārati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme …

"catasso imā, bhikkhave, dhātuyo. Katamā catasso?

Pathavīdhātu, āpodhātu, tejodhātu, vāyodhātu –

imā kho, bhikkhave, catasso dhātuyo"ti.

Paṭhamaṁ.