Sthūla-Śarīra
स्थूलशरीरनपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter) · स्थूल (sthūla — gross, dense) + शरीर (śarīra — body)
sthūla-śarīra
Metaphysics
Gross body — the physical body made of the five elements
Sthūla-śarīra is the physical body — born from food (anna), composed of the five gross elements after pañcīkaraṇa (quintuplication). It is the vehicle of experience in the waking state (jāgrat). The gross body is born, grows, changes, and dies, but the ātman inhabiting it is not affected by any of these transformations. Confusing 'I' with the gross body is the most basic level of adhyāsa (superimposition).
Using this in academic work? Get formal citation
Vishva Vidya (2026). Sthūla-Śarīra (स्थूलशरीर). Vishva Vidya — Vedanta. https://vedanta.com.br/en/glossary/sthula-sharira
Vishva Vidya. "Sthūla-Śarīra (स्थूलशरीर)." Vishva Vidya — Vedanta, January 1, 2026, https://vedanta.com.br/en/glossary/sthula-sharira.
Vishva Vidya. "Sthūla-Śarīra (स्थूलशरीर)." Vishva Vidya — Vedanta, January 1, 2026. https://vedanta.com.br/en/glossary/sthula-sharira.
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