[Advantages of analytical knowledge of body] Gaining this analytical knowledge of the human body helps in improving the well-being of the individual. Only after gaining such knowledge of the body, one can know the factors that are healthy and unhealthy. Hence, the analytical knowledge of the body is advocated by the experts.
तत्र शरीरं नाम चेतनाधिष्ठानभूतं पञ्चमहाभूतविकारसमुदायात्मकं समयोगवाहि | यदा ह्यस्मिञ् शरीरे धातवो वैषम्यमापद्यन्ते तदा क्लेशं विनाशं वा प्राप्नोति| वैषम्यगमनं हि पुनर्धातूनां वृध्दिह्रासगमनमकार्त्स्न्येन प्रकृत्या च ||४||
[Definition of sharira and disequilibrium in body elements] The body is defined as the site of manifestation of chetana (consciousness) and a union of factors derived from the five mahabhuta in a specific proportion that maintains equilibrium. When the relative proportions of these dhatus become inappropriate, then there is either discomfort or destruction of the body. The change in the relative proportion of the dhatu is either in terms of aggravation or diminution, either partially or completely.
tatra zarIraM nAma cetanAdhiSThAnabhUtaM paJcamahAbhUtavikArasamudAyAtmakaM samayogavAhi | yadA hyasmiJ zarIre dhAtavo vaiSamyamApadyante tadA klezaM vinAzaM vA prApnoti| vaiSamyagamanaM hi punardhAtUnAM vRdhdihrAsagamanamakArtsnyena prakRtyA ca ||4||
[Factors responsible for increase and decrease of body elements] Dhatus with mutually opposing properties simultaneously undergo increase and decrease. A factor which increases a particular dhatu can prove antagonist for the other dhatu of opposing properties.