Sharira

The word 'Sharira' means body.There are three bodies that account for each of our individual existences. Body and mind are the most active and prominent limitations.They bring about the sense of individual consciousness.
The three bodies are:
1.Stula sharira:This is the gross physical body composed of the 'panchaboothas' the five elements.
a)Prithivi (earth)
b)Apas or Jala (water)
c)Agni (fire)
d)Vayu (air)
e)Akasha (ether)
This gross physical body move through the stages of birth,growth,change,decay and death.

2.Sukshma sharira:This is the astral body or the 'Linga sharira' ,is composed of nineteen elements.
a) five Karmendriyas(organs of action)
b)five Jnanendriyas(organs of senses or knowledge)
c)Pancha pranas (five vital energies)
d)four Anthakaranas ( four divisions of mind)

3.Karana sharira: This is the casual body in which the impressions of all past karma of an individual is contained and to which the impressions formed of varthamana karma is being added.