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[[Sharira Sthana]] is the study of human physiology and anatomy in Ayurveda, and follows the [[Sutra Sthana]], [[Nidana Sthana]] and [[Vimana Sthana]] sections while preceding [[Indriya Sthana]] and [[Chikitsa Sthana]]. A healthcare provider cannot treat a patient unless he is familiar with the entire physical constitution of the patient. A study of human ''sharira'', or physiology, cannot be initiated without understanding ''purusha'', a concept that could mean the self (''atma''), consciousness, the cosmic man, etc., depending upon the context.  

[[Sharira Sthana]] is the study of human physiology and anatomy in Ayurveda, and follows the [[Sutra Sthana]], [[Nidana Sthana]] and [[Vimana Sthana]] sections while preceding [[Indriya Sthana]] and [[Chikitsa Sthana]]. A healthcare provider cannot treat a patient unless he is familiar with the entire physical constitution of the patient. A study of human ''sharira'', or physiology, cannot be initiated without understanding ''purusha'', a concept that could mean the self (''atma''), consciousness, the cosmic man, etc., depending upon the context.  

Hence this first chapter of this section, Katidhapurushiyam, defines ''purusha''. As mentioned already, the ''purusha'' is a complex concept integral to the study of the ''sharira''. ''Purusha'' could mean ''atma'', or the Self, which is distinct from the physical body and the senses (''indriya''). The second use of the term ''purusha'' is in ''Samyoga Purusha'' that could mean a logical body of six constituents (shaddhatuja), of twenty-four constituents (chaturvimshati dhatuja), or that which is ideal for treatment (chikitsya purusha). The third meaning of purusha is in the context of ativahika purusha, a subtle body that passes on from one body to the next along with the soul. Besides these, there are several other forms or connotations described here in this text.

Hence this first chapter of this section, Katidhapurushiyam, defines ''purusha''. As mentioned already, the ''purusha'' is a complex concept integral to the study of the ''sharira''. ''Purusha'' could mean ''atma'', or the Self, which is distinct from the physical body and the senses (''indriya''). The second use of the term ''purusha'' is in the context of ''samyoga purusha'' that could mean a logical body of six constituents (''shaddhatuja''), of twenty-four constituents (''chaturvimshati dhatuja''), or that which is ideal for treatment (''chikitsya purusha''). The third meaning of ''purusha'' is in the context of ''ativahika purusha'', a subtle body that passes on from one body to the next along with the soul. Besides these, there are several other forms or connotations described here in this text.

 

This chapter, like many in this treatise, is in the form of a dialogue between Agnivesha and Lord Punarvasu Atreya, where the former asks specific questions around the soul, its origin, proof of existence, types of miseries and their causes, etc.

This chapter, like many in this treatise, is in the form of a dialogue between Agnivesha and Lord Punarvasu Atreya, where the former asks specific questions around the soul, its origin, proof of existence, types of miseries and their causes, etc.