Chapter 4.6: Analysis of the Body (Sharira Vichaya Sharira / शरीर विचय शरीर)

Sharira Sthana Chapter 6. Analytical study of the Human body The present chapter deals with various important aspects of physical body from diagnostic and therapeutic view. Starting with definition of the body, questions regarding causes of diseases or destruction of the body, increase or decrease of dhatus (body elements) and their treatment are well answered. Further, factors responsible for the growth of the body, promotion of strength, digestion and metabolism of ingested food (along with action of individual factor) are discussed. In the same context, the discussion regarding body wastes and body promoting elements appear subsequently. At the end, various queries related to foetal development, birth process, life span and time of death etc. are discussed. Keywords: sharira vichaya, dhatu, fetal growth, fetal development, factors affecting strength, lifespan, timely death, pre-term death. Note: The knowledge of anatomy and physiology is given simultaneously under common heading of "sharira vichaya". Thus ends the sixth chapter of Sharira Sthana on the ‘Analytical Study of the Body’ of Agnivesha’s work as redacted by Charaka.