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== 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।) 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 (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.   

== व्युत्पत्तिः ॥ Etymology ==

== व्युत्पत्तिः ॥ Etymology ==

<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).   

<blockquote>शीर्यते तद् शरीरम् | {{Citation needed}}</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).   

== 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 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>

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>

== शरीरस्य मूलम् ॥ Roots of the Sharira ==

== शरीरस्य मूलम् ॥ Roots of the Sharira ==

3 Doshas, 7 Dhatus and 3 Malas 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 ==