Sthula Sharira is a Sanskrit term that refers to the physical body or the gross body. It is the outer covering that houses the subtle body, according to Indian philosophy. There are various synonyms for Sthula Sharira in the Sanskrit language. One of the popular alternates is the Annamaya Kosha, which means the food sheath. Another synonym is the Bhautika Sharira, which means the material body. The Virupa Akarsha or the visible body is another synonym that represents the physical aspect of the human body. The Sthula Sarir or the tangible body is yet another synonym. These alternate words help to describe the physicality of the human body and help to understand its relevance in Indian philosophy.