Sharira (शरीरम्)

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 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

Ayurveda believes that any Purusha (पुरुषः। Human being or Individual) is a life and, this life exists only because of the strong union of Satva (सत्वम्। Mind), 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

शीर्यते तद् शरीरम् |

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

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.

तत्र शरीरं नाम चेतनाधिष्ठानभूतं पञ्चमहाभूतविकारसमुदायात्मकं समयोगवाहि | (Char. Samh. 6.4)

tatra śarīraṁ nāma cetanādhiṣṭhānabhūtaṁ pañcamahābhūtavikārasamudāyātmakaṁ samayogavāhi |

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.

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’. 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.

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.

यदा ह्यस्मिञ् शरीरे धातवो वैषम्यमापद्यन्ते तदा क्लेशं विनाशं वा प्राप्नोति | (Char. Samh. 6.4)

yadā hyasmiñ śarīre dhātavo vaiṣamyamāpadyante tadā kleśaṁ vināśaṁ vā prāpnoti |

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.

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,

कार्त्स्न्येन शरीरवृध्दिकरास्त्विमे भावा भवन्ति; तद्यथा- कालयोगः, स्वभावसंसिध्दि:, आहारसौष्ठवम्,अविघातश्चेति|| (Char. Samh. Shar. 6.12)

kārtsnyena śarīravr̥dhdikarāstvime bhāvā bhavanti; tadyathā- kālayogaḥ, svabhāvasaṁsidhdi:, āhārasauṣṭhavam,avighātaśceti||

कालयोगः॥ Favorable time of season and one’s lifespan or 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 Rtucharya for details on Visarga kala).

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).

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.

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 Sadvrtta. These practices are regarded as the inhibiting factors for growth and thus adversely affect growth & development.