− | The word ‘Sharira’ means ‘physical body’. [[Ayurveda]] describes sharira as the seat of consciousness, composed of the aggregate of the products of five mahabhutas and carrying on in the state of equilibrium. [Cha. Sa. [[Sharira Sthana]] 6/4] [[Soul]] is assumed to be the cause of consciousness. Thus, [[Ayurveda]] considers that sharira is a living body constituted by the association of the [[Pancha mahabhuta | panchamahabhutas]] and the soul. The physical body is formed by amalgamation of [[Pancha mahabhuta | pachamahabhutas]] in variable quantities. The physical body is active but unconscious. The soul is inactive and conscious in the living being. They both coexist together inside the sharira. The physical body works as per the direction of the soul. The association between body and soul can be related to a lame person sitting on the shoulders of a blind person and moves on the directions of blind person. Sharira is one of the tripods of [[life]] along with [[mind]] and soul. When these three factors unite, the body survives and possesses all essentials of life [Cha.Sa. [[Sutra Sthana]] 1/46]. The importance of [[knowledge]] of sharira can be understood by observing a separate section named ‘sharira sthana’ in each classical [[ayurveda]] text. The knowledge of sharira is mandatory for the clinical diagnosis, treatment of [[diseases]], and maintenance of a healthy life. Current researches show that knowledge of sharira is necessary to decide the ingredients of drugs, understand the mode of action of therapy, and evaluation of anthropometric data. | + | The word ‘Sharira’ means ‘physical body’. [[Ayurveda]] describes sharira as the seat of consciousness, composed of the aggregate of the products of five mahabhutas and carrying on in the state of equilibrium. [Cha. Sa. [[Sharira Sthana]] 6/4] [[Soul]] is assumed to be the cause of consciousness. Thus, [[Ayurveda]] considers that sharira is a living body constituted by the association of the [[Pancha mahabhuta | panchamahabhutas]] and the soul. The physical body is formed by amalgamation of [[Pancha mahabhuta | pachamahabhutas]] in variable quantities. The physical body is active but unconscious. The soul is inactive and conscious in the living being. They both coexist together inside the sharira. The physical body works as per the direction of the [[Atma|soul]]. The association between body and soul can be related to a lame person sitting on the shoulders of a blind person and moves on the directions of blind person. Sharira is one of the tripods of [[life]] along with [[mind]] and soul. When these three factors unite, the body survives and possesses all essentials of life [Cha.Sa. [[Sutra Sthana]] 1/46]. The importance of [[knowledge]] of sharira can be understood by observing a separate section named ‘[[Sharira Sthana|sharira sthana]]’ in each classical [[ayurveda]] text. The knowledge of sharira is mandatory for the clinical diagnosis, treatment of [[diseases]], and maintenance of a healthy life. Current researches show that knowledge of sharira is necessary to decide the ingredients of drugs, understand the mode of action of therapy, and evaluation of anthropometric data. |