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The term Sharira can be attributed to the physical body of an individual. However, according to Ayurveda physical body is that component of the life of an individual which is limited to this world i.e mortal. Although Vedas and other shastras identify various aspects of one’s life by the term Sharira, Ayurveda sticks to only the gross Sthula Sharira category among [[Sharira Traya (शरीरत्रयम्)|Sharira Trayam]]. Thus, ‘Sharira’ in Ayurveda refers to the material physical mortal body that eats, breathes and moves (acts). Other terms like ‘Deha’, ‘Kaya’, ‘Vapu’ are also used synonymously with ‘Sharira’.   

The term Sharira (शरीरम्।) refers to the physical body of an individual. According to Ayurveda, physical body is that component of the life, which is limited to this world only i.e mortal component. Although Vedas and other shastras identify various components of one’s life by the term Sharira, Ayurveda sticks only to the gross Sthula Sharira category among [[Sharira Traya (शरीरत्रयम्)|Sharira Trayam]]. Thus, ‘Sharira’ in Ayurveda refers to the material, physical, mortal body which is the seat of life energy or consciousness in this world. It suggests that body which eats, breathes and moves (acts). Other terms like ‘Deha’ (देहः।), ‘Kaya’ (काया।), ‘Vapu’ (वपुः।), 'Kalewaram' (कलेवरम्।) are also used synonymously with ‘Sharira’.   

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

[[Ayurveda (आयुर्वेदः)|Ayurveda]] believes that any [[Purusha (पुरुषः)|Purusha]] (पुरुषः । Human being or Individual) is a life and, this life is believd to be the union of  Satva (सत्वम्। Mind), [[Atman (आत्मन्)|Atman]] (आत्मा। Life energy) and Sharira (शरीरम् । Body). Thus, Sharira is one of the 3 vital components of anyone’s life. Ayurveda believes that the entire life (Individual) depends and sustains on this union. Thus, the term Sharira can be correlated with the physical body of an individual which provides the seat for life energy and mind.  

[[Ayurveda (आयुर्वेदः)|Ayurveda]] believes that any [[Purusha (पुरुषः)|Purusha]] (पुरुषः। Human being or Individual) is a life and, this life exists only because of the strong union of  Satva (सत्वम्। Mind), [[Atman (आत्मन्)|Atman]] (आत्मा। Life energy), Indriyani (इन्द्रियाणि।) and Sharira (शरीरम्। Body). Thus, Sharira is one of the 3 vital components for any life to exist. Ayurveda believes that the entire life (Individual) depends and sustains on this union. Thus, the term Sharira can be regarded as the body of an individual which provides seat for life energy and mind. Moreover, this body is that part of individual which is not subtle like mind or consciousness and thus, it is the medium of expression for them as well as the means of taking outside resources like food or medicines, water and breath that is required for survival. 

== व्युत्पत्तिः ॥ Etymology ==

== व्युत्पत्तिः ॥ Etymology ==

<blockquote>शीर्यते तद् शरीरम् | {{Citation needed}}</blockquote>One that is in the process of continuous degeneration. It denotes the natural tendency of physical body to degenerate (if not intervened with use of food or medicines).  

<blockquote>शीर्यते तद् शरीरम् | {{Citation needed}}</blockquote>The root Samskrit word from which the the word 'Sharira' has been derived, indicates the process of degeneration. Therefore, the word 'Sharira' in Samskrit refers to the 'one that is in the process of continuous degeneration'. It denotes the natural tendency of physical body to degenerate (if not intervened with use of food or medicines). This suggests the mortal nature of the human body. However, after birth in the womb, in the childhood and even in the young age the body shoes growth and development to large extent and not just degeneration. This tendency of the body is explained by the other synonymously used terms like 'Kaya', 'Deha' etc. which suggest growth (with the help of food and other nourishing factors). 

== शरीरस्य परिभाषा ॥ Definition of Sharira by Ayurveda ==

== शरीरस्य परिभाषा ॥ Definition of Sharira by Ayurveda ==

According to Acharya Charaka, Sharira is the seat for life energy and it is composed of factors derived from the five basic elements mahabhuta in a specific proportion that maintains equilibrium. <blockquote>तत्र शरीरं नाम चेतनाधिष्ठानभूतं पञ्चमहाभूतविकारसमुदायात्मकं समयोगवाहि | (Char. Samh. 6.4)<ref name=":0">Charaka Samhita ([http://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/mediawiki-1.28.2/index.php?title=Sharira_Vichaya_Sharira#Definition_of_sharira_and_disequilibrium_in_body_elements Sharirsthanam Adhyaya 6 Sutram 4])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>tatra śarīraṁ nāma cetanādhiṣṭhānabhūtaṁ pañcamahābhūtavikārasamudāyātmakaṁ samayogavāhi |</blockquote>Acharya Sushruta has laid great importance on physical appearance and constituents like organs, tissues, systems and body parts while defining the term Sharira as various places. <ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 5 Sutram 3)</ref>

According to Acharya Charaka, Sharira is the seat for Aatma (आत्मा। life energy) and it is composed derivatives of the Panchamahabhuta (पञ्चमहाभूतानि। five basic elements) in a specific proportion that maintains equilibrium. <blockquote>तत्र शरीरं नाम चेतनाधिष्ठानभूतं पञ्चमहाभूतविकारसमुदायात्मकं समयोगवाहि | (Char. Samh. 6.4)<ref name=":0">Charaka Samhita ([http://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/mediawiki-1.28.2/index.php?title=Sharira_Vichaya_Sharira#Definition_of_sharira_and_disequilibrium_in_body_elements Sharirsthanam Adhyaya 6 Sutram 4])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>tatra śarīraṁ nāma cetanādhiṣṭhānabhūtaṁ pañcamahābhūtavikārasamudāyātmakaṁ samayogavāhi |</blockquote>Acharya Sushruta has described sharira on the basis of physical appearance and its parts like organs, tissues, systems at the time of its development in womb. <ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 5 Sutram 3)</ref>

== शरीरस्य मूलम् ॥ Roots of the Sharira ==

== शरीरस्य मूलम् ॥ Roots of the Sharira ==