Purport

Prakriti, also known as material nature, is one of the fundamental components of the universe that constructs life. The other component is Brahman, the life element.

The living body, referred to as Kshetra, is a complex manifestation of Prakriti (material nature). The soul, or Purusha, represents the smallest essence of Brahman. Although the term Purusha may have various meanings, it ultimately signifies the soul. In essence, Purusha serves as a general classification of the living universe, whereas the soul is a specific and minute abstraction.

The combination of Kshetra (the physical body) and Purusha (the soul) constitutes life itself. The physical body, or Kshetra, is a complex amalgamation of various physical, chemical, and biological elements, which are the subjects of study in material science. However, the physical body can also be categorized in a spiritual sense, allowing us to understand the metaphysical building blocks of living organisms.

These two shlokas, or verses, discuss these components, shedding light on the constitution of the physical body. The components of the physical body are also explored in the discipline of Sankhya.

The living body, or Kshetra, is composed of a total of 24 components as listed in two shlokas. These components include:

1. Five great elements elements
2. Two unmanifest elements of existence(Ego and Intelligence)
3. Ten senses
4. Five sense objects
5. Mind
6. Internal senses.

Adding them all
5 great elements + 2 unmanifest elements + 10 senses + 5 sense objects+ Mind + Internal senses = 24
The physical body hence is an aggregate of these 24 building blocks.
This physical body then goes through a definite pattern of changes which is termed as “Vikara”
The details of these building blocks and the Vikara(The changes) are as follows:

1. Five great elements:
There are five basic or great elements by which form the entire universe. These elements are
1. Earth,
2. Water,
3. Fire,
4. Air and
5. Akasa(Skye or Ether)

Earth means any solid thing.
Water represent all liquids
Fire means all forms of energy
Air, means all kinds of gaseous elements
Akash means sky which is also called as either in scientific term.

2. Un-manifest elements of existence:
A living body also has two unmanifest/invisible elements. These two elements are the characteristics of only living beings and not non-living.

2.1 The ego or the sense of myself:
This is the sense or the realization by a living being for it to be existing. Though this sense is very important for the existence but problem occurs when a living being takes this body as his permanent identification which is unreal. For this very reason it is also called as Ahamkara or ego.

2.2 The intellect,
Intellect is the element by which a living being able to judge his activities, security and finds the way to exist.

3. Ten senses:
Human body in particular body contains 10 senses these senses can further be divided into two parts 1. perceptual senses and 2.2 Senese of activity.

3.1 Five perceptual senses:
1. Eye
2. Ear,
3. Nose,
4.Tongue and
5.Sense of touch

3.2 The five senses of activity
1. The voice,
2. The hands,
3. The legs,
4. The genitals and
5.The anus

4. Five sense objects (of the perceptual senses)
1. Sight,
2. Sound,
3. smell,
4. taste and
5. Form(Rupa & Rasa)

5: Mind

The mind and intellect are distinct elements that play different roles in cognitive processes. To provide a concise definition:

Intellect pertains to the cognitive functions and rational mental processes that are acquired through external input rather than internal sources. It involves the ability to comprehend, reason, analyze, and make decisions based on acquired knowledge and understanding.

On the other hand, the mind encompasses a broader range of cognitive faculties. It encompasses consciousness, perception, thinking, judgment, language, and memory. It is typically described as the faculty through which an entity's thoughts and consciousness are experienced.

In summary, while intellect primarily focuses on cognitive processing based on external information, the mind encompasses a wider array of cognitive functions and serves as the medium for an individual's thoughts and awareness.

6: The internal senses:
In addition to the mind and intellect, a human being possesses an internal sense that operates independently of both. This internal sense serves as another fundamental component and can be further divided into the following aspects:
1.Desire,
2. Aversion,
3. Happiness,
4. Unhappiness,
5.The body,
6. The intuition,
7. Patience

The physical body, therefore, is a culmination of these 24 elements. Intelligence, being a cognitive function of the mind, is enriched with qualities such as patience and fortitude. Desires, aversions, and other emotional responses are merely outcomes of cognitive processes and are considered attributes of the mind, not the eternal soul or atma. Additionally, the mentioned qualities imply the presence of other mental attributes like reflection and introspection.

In addition to these elements, the body undergoes various transformations. The body progresses through six stages, which are as follows:

Six material modifications(Alterations)
1. Birth,
2. Sustenance,
3. Growth,
4. Maturity,
5. Declination and
6. Destruction
Brihadaranyaka Upanisad I.V.III states: Desire, reflection, doubt, faith, lack of faith, patience, impatience, modesty, intelligence and fear are all products of the mind.