Changes

As mentioned already, the purusha is a complex concept integral to the study of the sharira. Purusha could stand for 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.

As mentioned already, the purusha is a complex concept integral to the study of the sharira. Purusha could stand for 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.

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.

 

Introduction:

=== Introduction ===

An aspiring Ayurveda practitioner who has obtained thorough knowledge about diseases, and their signs and symptoms from Nidanasthana and studied rasa prabhava and dosha prabhava in the context of dravya and vyadhi from Vimanasthana may have built a foundation in disease management, but cannot initiate treatment until he has a thorough knowledge of the human body. Therefore, a logical continuation from the preceding sections is this section on the human physiology and anatomy especially body’s connecton to the universe. As mentioned earlier, the concept of purusha is integral to understanding sharira, and therefore understanding Sharirasthana. This chapter therefore deals with various topics related to purusha such as its types, origin, constituents, details about mind and soul, the process of knowledge, the theory of evolution and destruction, types of diseases and their causative factors, treatment of the diseases of past, present and future, desire as the ultimate cause of sorrow, the method by which an individual can get the permanent relief from pain, role of yoga in achieving salvation, and the means of salvation.

An aspiring Ayurveda practitioner who has obtained thorough knowledge about diseases, and their signs and symptoms from Nidanasthana and studied rasa prabhava and dosha prabhava in the context of dravya and vyadhi from Vimanasthana may have built a foundation in disease management, but cannot initiate treatment until he has a thorough knowledge of the human body. Therefore, a logical continuation from the preceding sections is this section on the human physiology and anatomy especially body’s connecton to the universe. As mentioned earlier, the concept of purusha is integral to understanding sharira, and therefore understanding Sharirasthana. This chapter therefore deals with various topics related to purusha such as its types, origin, constituents, details about mind and soul, the process of knowledge, the theory of evolution and destruction, types of diseases and their causative factors, treatment of the diseases of past, present and future, desire as the ultimate cause of sorrow, the method by which an individual can get the permanent relief from pain, role of yoga in achieving salvation, and the means of salvation.