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Translated by Sri Vanamamalai Padmanabhan

II. The Physical Body

The features of the body is described as follows.

a. That one which obstructs the realisaton of the true nature of the soul;
b. That which generates vibharItha gnAnam;
c. Bundle of 24 thathvam-s;
d. Temporary ;
e. The one which induces into materialistic pursuits and pushes into samsAram eternally.

a. Since, the sensory organs are restricted by the body – which is of 24 thathvam-s, the body does not allow realizing the true nature of the soul (aLavudai aim-pulangaL aRiyA vagai — ThiruvAymozhi 3-10-11).

b. The body makes one think that it is Atman. It also makes one assume what is not one's as one's. Similarly, it causes the thoughts of Supremacy where it is not attributable and purshArtham where it is not ought to be. Therefore, the body results in vibharItha gnAnam or misunderstanding of true knowledge.

c. Bundle of 24 thathvam-s: The physical body is a mass of twenty four thathvam-s. SwAmi NammAzhwAr has explained this in the ThriuvAyMozhi

"pongaim-pulanum, poRi aindhum, karumEandhriyam aim-bhUdham, ingivvuyirE prakruthi, mAnAngkAra manangaLEa" Thiruvaymozhi 10-7-10.

These are:
Five senses: smell, vision, touch,sound and taste
Five sensory organs: nostrils,eyes, skin, ears and tongue
Five action organs-karama-indhriyamà mouth,hands,feet, kudham and kuRi
Pancha-bhUdham-s:akAsam-vAyu-agni-appu-prithvi i.e The sky, wind, fire,water and the earth

The aforesaid fives add up to twenty.

21st is prakruthi
22nd is mahAn
23rd is ahankAram and
24th is mind

Therefore, the body is a mass of these 24 elements.

d. The one which induces into materialistic pursuits and pushes into samsAram eternally.

Pillai Lokacharyar Thiruvadigale Sharanam
Azhvar Emperumanar Jeeyar Thiruvadigale Sharanam

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