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The term Sharira (शरीरम्।) refers to the physical body of an individual. According to [[Ayurveda (आयुर्वेदः)|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]] (शरीरत्रयम्।). Thus, ‘Sharira’ in Ayurveda refers to the material, physical, mortal body which is the seat of life energy or consciousness in this world. It denotes the body which eats, breathes and moves (acts). Other terms like ‘Deha’ (देहः।), ‘Kaya’ (काया।), ‘Vapu’ (वपुः।), 'Kalevaram' (कलेवरम्।) are also used interchangeably with ‘Sharira’.   

The term Sharira (Samskrit: शरीरम्) refers to the physical body of an individual. According to [[Ayurveda (आयुर्वेदः)|Ayurveda]], physical body is that component of the life, which is limited to this world only i.e mortal component. Although [[Vedas (वेदाः)|Vedas]] and other shastras identify various components of one’s life by the term Sharira, Ayurveda sticks only to the gross or Sthula Sharira category among [[Sharira Traya (शरीरत्रयम्)|Sharira Traya]] (शरीरत्रयम्). Thus, ‘Sharira’ in Ayurveda refers to the material, physical, mortal body which is the seat of life energy or consciousness in this world. It denotes the body which eats, breathes and moves (acts). Other terms like ‘Deha’ (देहः), ‘Kaya’ (काया), ‘Vapu’ (वपुः), 'Kalevara' (कलेवरम्) are also used interchangeably 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 exists only because of the strong union of  [[Manas (मनः)|Satva]] (सत्वम्। Mind), [[Atman (आत्मन्)|Atman]] (आत्मा। Life energy), [[Indriyas (इन्द्रियाणि)|Indriyani]] (इन्द्रियाणि। Sensory and motor organs) and Sharira (शरीरम्। Body). Thus, Sharira is one of the 4 vital components of a union which is integral for existence in this world. The entire life (Individual) depends and sustains on this union. In this union, Sharira can be regarded as the body of an individual which provides seat for life energy, senses and mind. Moreover, this body is such a part of the individual which is not subtle like mind or consciousness. Subsequently it becomes the medium of expression for other components as well as the means of taking outside resources like food or medicines, water and breath that is required for survival.   

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  [[Manas (मनः)|Satva]] (सत्वम्। Mind), [[Atman (आत्मन्)|Atman]] (आत्मा। Life energy), [[Indriyas (इन्द्रियाणि)|Indriyani]] (इन्द्रियाणि। Sensory and motor organs) and Sharira (शरीरम्। Body). Thus, Sharira is one of the 4 vital components of a union which is integral for existence in this world. The entire life (Individual) depends and sustains on this union. In this union, Sharira can be regarded as the body of an individual which provides seat for life energy, senses and mind. Moreover, this body is such a part of the individual which is not subtle like mind or consciousness. Subsequently, it becomes the medium of expression for other components 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><blockquote>śīryate tad śarīram |</blockquote>The root Samskrit word from which the the term 'Sharira' has been derived, indicates the process of degeneration. Therefore, the word 'Sharira' in Samskrit means, 'the one that is in the process of continuous degeneration'. It denotes the natural tendency of physical body to degenerate or to undergo wear and tear (if not intervened with use of food or medicines). This indicates the mortal nature of human body. However, in the womb before birth, in the childhood and even in the young age the body grows & develops more than undergoing degeneration. This tendency of the body is explained by other synonymously used terms like ‘Deha’ (देहः।), ‘Kaya’ (काया।), ‘Vapu’ (वपुः।) which suggest growing nature of physical body (with the help of food and other nourishing factors).   

<blockquote>शीर्यते तद् शरीरम् | {{Citation needed}}</blockquote><blockquote>śīryate tad śarīram |</blockquote>The root word in samskrit from which the the term 'Sharira' has been derived, indicates the process of degeneration. Therefore, the word 'Sharira' in Samskrit means, 'the one that is in the process of continuous degeneration'. It denotes the natural tendency of physical body to degenerate or to undergo wear and tear (if not intervened with use of food or medicines). This indicates the mortal nature of human body. However, in the womb before birth, in the childhood and even in the young age the body grows and develops more than undergoing degeneration. This tendency of the body is explained by other synonymously used terms like ‘Deha’ (देहः), ‘Kaya’ (काया), ‘Vapu’ (वपुः) which suggest growing nature of physical body (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 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>

According to Acharya Charaka, Sharira is the seat for Atma (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 Sharira ==

3 Doshas (दोषाः।), 7 Dhatus (धातवः।) and 3 Malas (मलाः।) are believed to be the basic functional units or roots of the ‘Sharira’. <ref>Sushruta Samhita ([http://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/esushruta/?mod=read Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 15 Sutram 3])</ref> All of them are composed of different proportions of Panchamabhutas (पञ्चमहाभूतानि। 5 basic elements). It is believed that, any visible characteristic or activity of a human being has its roots in the interplay of these 3 integral components of human body. These 3 components control and represent the structure as well as the function of physical body while maintaining close union with mind, senses and life energy.  

3 Doshas (दोषाः), 7 Dhatus (धातवः) and 3 Malas (मलाः) are believed to be the basic functional units or roots of the ‘Sharira’. <ref>Sushruta Samhita ([http://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/esushruta/?mod=read Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 15 Sutram 3])</ref> All of them are composed of different proportions of Panchamabhutas (पञ्चमहाभूतानि। 5 basic elements). It is believed that, any visible characteristic or activity of a human being has its roots in the interplay of these 3 integral components of human body. These 3 components control and represent the structure as well as the function of physical body while maintaining close union with mind, senses and life energy.  

== 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 ==

=== 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 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>

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 and development.

== References ==

== References ==

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[[Category:Ayurveda]]

[[Category:Ayurveda]]