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

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

According to Acharya Charaka, Sharira is the seat for Aatma (आत्मा। life energy) and it is composed of derivatives of the Panchamahabhutas (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 its 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>

According to Acharya Charaka, Sharira is the seat for Aatma (आत्मा। life energy) and it is composed of derivatives of the Panchamahabhutas (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 its physical appearance and its parts like organs, tissues, systems developing at the time of its growth in the womb. <ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 5 Sutram 3)</ref>

== शरीरस्य मूलम् ॥ Roots of the Sharira ==

== शरीरस्य मूलम् ॥ Roots of the Sharira ==

== शरीरस्य क्लेश तथा विनाशस्य कारणम्॥ Factors responsible for maintenance and destruction of Sharira ==

== शरीरस्य क्लेश तथा विनाशस्य कारणम्॥ Factors responsible for maintenance and destruction of Sharira ==

Ayurveda has given utmost importance to maintaining the equilibrium of these 3 components viz. Dosha (दोषाः।), Dhatu (धातवः।) & Malas (मलाः।) because it is said that, when in equilibrium these constituents maintain natural state of balanced internal environment and promote health. However, when these 3 components fail to maintain natural equilibrium (in terms of alteration in natural quality or quantity) then there is either discomfort or destruction of the body.<blockquote>यदा ह्यस्मिञ् शरीरे धातवो वैषम्यमापद्यन्ते तदा क्लेशं विनाशं वा प्राप्नोति | (Char. Samh. 6.4)<ref name=":0" /></blockquote><blockquote>yadā hyasmiñ śarīre dhātavo vaiṣamyamāpadyante tadā kleśaṁ vināśaṁ vā prāpnoti |</blockquote>

Ayurveda has given utmost importance to maintaining the equilibrium of 3 components viz. Dosha (दोषाः।), Dhatu (धातवः।) & Malas (मलाः।). It is said that, when these constituents are in equilibrium, the individual is healthy thus, all of them are called Dhatus in this state. On the other hand, when these 3 components fail to maintain equilibrium (in terms of alteration in their natural quality or quantity) then there is either discomfort or destruction of the body.<blockquote>यदा ह्यस्मिञ् शरीरे धातवो वैषम्यमापद्यन्ते तदा क्लेशं विनाशं वा प्राप्नोति | (Char. Samh. 6.4)<ref name=":0" /></blockquote><blockquote>yadā hyasmiñ śarīre dhātavo vaiṣamyamāpadyante tadā kleśaṁ vināśaṁ vā prāpnoti |</blockquote>It is clear from the foregoing that, Ayurveda has attributed the status of health and ill-health entirely to the balanced state of 3 components namely Doshas, Dhatus and Malas.

== शरीरवृद्धीकराः भावाः ॥ Factors responsible for growth of Sharira ==

== शरीरवृद्धीकराः भावाः ॥ Factors responsible for growth of Sharira ==

In line with Ayurveda’s objective of maintaining health and treating diseases, description is found on the role of some important factors responsible for growth of this Sharira. These factors play critical role in growth and development of physical body according to Ayurveda.  

In line with Ayurveda’s objective of promoting health of individual, description is found on the role of some important factors in growth of this Sharira. These factors play critical role in growth and development of physical body according to Ayurveda. Superior or inferior quality of these factors decide Sharira's growth or its stagnation.  

This topic is another example of brilliance of ancient Ayurveda scholars. They have precisely pointed out the various factors that should be considered together in order to understand the possible reasons for proper or improper growth of physical body of any individual. Listed following are those critical factors responsible for one’s growth and development,

This topic is another example of brilliance of ancient Ayurveda scholars. They have precisely pointed out the various factors that should be considered together in order to understand the possible reasons for proper or improper growth of physical body of any individual. Listed following are those critical factors responsible for one’s growth and development,

<blockquote>कार्त्स्न्येन शरीरवृध्दिकरास्त्विमे भावा भवन्ति; तद्यथा- कालयोगः, स्वभावसंसिध्दि:, आहारसौष्ठवम्,अविघातश्चेति|| (Char. Samh. Shar. 6.12)<ref name=":0" /></blockquote><blockquote>kārtsnyena śarīravr̥dhdikarāstvime bhāvā bhavanti; tadyathā- kālayogaḥ, svabhāvasaṁsidhdi:, āhārasauṣṭhavam,avighātaśceti||</blockquote>

<blockquote>कार्त्स्न्येन शरीरवृध्दिकरास्त्विमे भावा भवन्ति; तद्यथा- कालयोगः, स्वभावसंसिध्दि:, आहारसौष्ठवम्,अविघातश्चेति|| (Char. Samh. 6.12) <ref>Charaka Samhita ([http://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/mediawiki-1.28.2/index.php?title=Sharira_Vichaya_Sharira#Factors_responsible_for_growth Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 6 Sutram 12])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>kārtsnyena śarīravr̥dhdikarāstvime bhāvā bhavanti; tadyathā- kālayogaḥ, svabhāvasaṁsidhdi:, āhārasauṣṭhavam,avighātaśceti||</blockquote>

=== कालयोगः॥ Favorable time of season and one’s lifespan or age ===

=== कालयोगः॥ Favorable time of season and age ===

The natural age of growth and development is childhood and young age while the natural time of year favorable for growth and building strength is Visarga kala. (See [[Rutucharya (ऋतुचर्या)|Rtucharya]] for details on Visarga kala).

The natural age of growth and development is childhood and young age while the natural time of year favorable for growth and building strength is Visarga kala (विसर्ग कालः। season of the year where strength of body is naturally superior). (See [[Rutucharya (ऋतुचर्या)|Rtucharya]] (ॠतुचर्या। seasonal regimen) for details on Visarga kala). The nature's force aids in the process of growth in this period positively.

=== स्वभावसंसिध्दिः॥ Natural tendencies of individual ===

=== स्वभावसंसिध्दिः॥ Natural tendencies of individual ===

By natural tendencies, one might correlate this with genetic constitution of an individual for ease of understanding. The commentator Chakrapani has described this factor to be Adrshta (अदृष्टम् । invisible or unknown).  

By natural tendencies of individual the growth may happen or may not. The commentator Chakrapani has described this factor to be Adrshta (अदृष्टम् । invisible or unknown). One might correlate this with genetic constitution of an individual for ease of understanding. 

=== आहारसौष्ठवम्॥ Quality of food consumption ===

=== आहारसौष्ठवम्॥ Quality of food consumption ===

Intake of good quality of food having attributes beneficial for body and abiding by all the good dietary practices expounded in compendium is responsible for development of superior quality body tissues.

Intake of good quality of food having attributes beneficial for body and abiding by all the good dietary practices expounded in compendium is essential for development of superior quality body tissues.

=== अविघातः॥ Absence of inhibiting factors ===

=== अविघातः॥ Absence of inhibiting factors ===

In spite of having good quality food at favorable time of life and season, one might face difficulty in maintaining good health and life. This could be because of presence or practice of some such factors which adversely affect body. Classics mention few examples like indulging in unhygienic practices, excessive sexual activity and not following rules mentioned in [[Sadvrutta (सद्वृत्तम्)|Sadvrtta]]. These practices are regarded as the inhibiting factors for growth and thus adversely affect growth & development.<blockquote></blockquote>

In spite of having good quality food at favorable time of life and season, one might face difficulty in maintaining good health and life. This could be because of presence of or practice of some such factors which adversely affect body growth. Classics mention few examples like indulging in unhygienic practices, excessive sexual activity and not following rules mentioned in [[Sadvrutta (सद्वृत्तम्)|Sadvrtta]] (सद्‍वृत्तम्। noble code of conduct). These practices are regarded as the inhibiting factors for growth and thus adversely affect growth & development.<blockquote></blockquote>

== References ==

== References ==

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[[Category:Ayurveda]]

[[Category:Ayurveda]]