तत्र पृथिवी धारणे                                                                                                                      
आपः पिण्डीकरणे                                                                                                                      
तेजः प्रकाशने                                                                                                                     
वायुर्गमने आकाशमवकाशप्रदाने।                                                                                          
पृथक् श्रोत्रे शब्दोपलब्धौ                                                                                                            
 त्वक् स्पर्शे                                                                                                                                    चक्षुषी रूपे                                                                                                                               
जिह्वा रसने                                                                                                               नासिकाSSघ्राणे                                                                                    
 उपस्थश्चानन्दनेS                                                                                                              
पानमुत्सर्गे                                                                                                                               
बुद्ध्या बुद्ध्यति                                                                                                                        
मनसा सङ्कल्पयति                                                                                                                     
वाचा वदति।

Tatra pṛthivī dhāraṇē āpaḥ piṇḍīkaraṇē tējaḥ prakāśanēvāyurgamanē ākāśamavakāśapradānē। Pṛthak śrōtrēśabdōpalabdhau tvak sparśē cakṣuṣī rūpē jihvā rasanēnāsikā grana upasthashcānandanē pānamutsargē buddhyābuddhyati manasā saṅkalpayati vācā vadatai।

This shloka verse offers a profound insight into the functions of the five elements (panchabhutas) and their correspondence with sensory organs and faculties of the human body, reflecting the intricate cosmology of Vedic thought:

Tatra pṛthivī dhāraṇē - Here, earth (pṛthivī) is associated with dhāraṇē or holding, supporting. This implies that the earth element in the body provides structure and stability, akin to how earth sustains all life forms.

Āpaḥ piṇḍīkaraṇē - Water (āpaḥ) is linked with piṇḍīkaraṇē or the formation of substance, suggesting its role in cohesion and the creation of bodily tissues. Water binds the body's elements together, facilitating growth and maintenance.

Tējaḥ prakāśanē - Fire (tejaḥ) is responsible for prakāśanē or illumination, metabolism, and transformation. It's the digestive fire, the warmth of the body, and the light of consciousness that reveals knowledge.

Vāyurgamanē - Air (vāyu) is connected with gamanē or movement, indicating its vital role in circulation, breath, and all forms of bodily motion. It's the life force or prana that animates the body.

Ākāśamavakāśapradānē - Ether (ākāśa) gives avakāśapradānē or space, providing the room for growth, sound, and the potential for all other elements to exist and function. It's the subtle space within and around, essential for communication and consciousness.

The passage then correlates these elements with sensory and cognitive functions:

Pṛthak śrōtrē śabdōpalabdhau - The ears (śrōtrē) separately perceive sound (śabdōpalabdhau), linked with space as sound travels through ether.

Tvak sparśē - The skin (tvak) experiences touch (sparśē), connected to the air which transmits sensations.

Cakṣuṣī rūpē - The eyes (cakṣuṣī) see forms (rūpē), corresponding to fire, as light is necessary for vision.

Jihvā rasanē - The tongue (jihvā) tastes (rasanē), related to water, as flavors are dissolved in moisture.

Nāsikā ghraṇē - The nose (nāsikā) smells (ghraṇē), also associated with air, for odors are carried by breath.

Upasthashcānandanē - The genitals (upastha) provide pleasure or bliss (ānandanē).

Pānamutsargē - The anus (pānam) is for excretion (utsargē), connected to earth as it relates to material elimination.

Buddhyā buddhyati - The intellect (buddhi) discerns (buddhyati), reflecting the integrative function of all elements in cognition.

Manasā saṅkalpayati - The mind (manas) resolves or imagines (saṅkalpayati).

Vācā vadatai - Speech (vācā) expresses (vadatai), the culmination of all sensory and cognitive processes.

This passage articulates the Vedic understanding of the human body as a microcosm of the universe, where each element serves both physical and metaphysical roles. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of body, senses, and mind, guiding one towards a holistic perception of existence where spiritual practices aim to balance and purify these elements for health, enlightenment, and union with the cosmic consciousness.