Abstract: According to Vedānta philosophy, the physical organism is composed of the five gross elements, while the subtle body (sūkṣma-śarīra) consists of seventeen components: the five organs of knowledge (jñānendriya), five organs of action (karmendriya), five vital forces, manas, and buddhi. The internal organs (manas, buddhi, ahaṁkāra, citta) and external senses arise from the subtle elements, governed by sattva (cognition) or rajas (activity). Central to this system is Prāṇa, the cosmic life energy and symbol of Brahman. Manifested individually through five vital forces—Prāṇa (respiration), Apāna (evacuation), Vyāna (circulation), Udāna (upward movement), and Samāna (digestion)—it animates the entire organism. Much like a factory's fly-shuttle, Prāṇa drives all bodily functions; it is the vital breath shared with the universe, and life endures only as long as Prāṇa inhabits the body.
Dr. Bandana Das (Mon,) studied this question.