Science talks of many elements in the periodic table. How come Vedic tradition only identified five elements ?

Q: Science talks of many elements in the periodic table. How come Vedic tradition only identified five elements ?

Gurudev Sri Sri : 

It's a different way to look at it. In Vaisheshik Darshan, Kanaad Maharishi says 24 principles. In Nyaya, he says 16 principles. It's a different way of counting. In Sankya too, they also say 24 principles.

It is the energy. The three forms of matter: solid form is Earth, liquid form is water, and water in the gaseous form. And what makes all these 3 forms is the fire. Where all the 4 are, is in the space. So in the space, because of fire or lack of it something is solid, liquid or gaseous in Vayu tattva(air element) .

That is why the ancient people said -_agnidevayamukha_, that through fire all the devtas are approached; all the elements are approached through fire. Fire means the basic energy. Because of that intellect functions, mind functions and emotions are active. Life is there because there is energy. The world is there because of energy. The trees are there because of energy. And that energy is fire. Fire element.