Have you ever ever puzzled what the delicate physique really is, and the way it differs from the causal physique?
Each layer of the physique whether or not delicate or gross is a manifestation of power. And power is just not seen, however felt, by way of the movement of consciousness.
In yogic philosophy, consciousness flows by way of 5 layers to succeed in the innermost essence, often called the Atman (or Self, in Vedanta). These 5 layers are referred to as the koshas.
To really perceive the koshas, one should first grasp the idea of the Self the innermost being that continues to be after transcending all 5 sheaths. Let’s start there.
Introduction to self or atman
The Self, or Atman, is the divine essence inside each being. It exists past the three gunas Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas because it has neither starting nor finish. Its core qualities are fixed consciousness and silent assist to all, with none attachment.
Within the Upanishads, the Atman is described because the unchanging witness that continues to be current by way of all states of existence waking, dreaming, deep sleep, demise, rebirth, and supreme liberation.
References from upanishads about atman
A number of Upanishads describe the character of Atman by way of highly effective verses.
- The Kathopanishad defines Atman as subtler than the subtlest and higher than the best, residing within the coronary heart of each dwelling being.
Anoraniyan mahato mahiyan Atmasya jantornihito guhayam (Katho.I-ii-20).
This verse highlights Atman because the everlasting presence throughout the physique.
- The Mandukya Upanishad states that Brahman is the Atman, and Atman is the Brahman.
Ayam Atma Brahma (Mandukya )
This expression reveals that the supreme energy behind all existence is one with the innermost Self in every coronary heart.
- The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad identifies the Self with Purusha, the infinite and all-pervading being. It clarifies that the Self is distinct from the mind and separate from the sensory organs.
- The Mundaka Upanishad describes the Self as self-luminous, formless, with out origin, and pure. It’s the all-pervading presence, each inside and with out. This Being exists earlier than life and thought, and even transcends the unmanifested causal state of the universe.
Nature of atman
The Atman is described in Vedantic texts by way of a number of key qualities:
- Chaitanya Svarupah – The very nature of pure consciousness
- Svatantrah – Utterly unbiased, not depending on something
- Nirgunah – Past materials qualities, with none attributes
- Nityah – Everlasting and unchanging
- Sarvagatah – Current all over the place, all-pervading
- Ekah – One with out a second, the indivisible Self
These qualities level to absolutely the nature of Atman, which stays untouched by time, area, or change.
Relation between koshas and atman
Kosha means “sheath” the layers that cowl the Atman. The Atman, or soul, resides on the core of the Anandamaya Kosha (the fifth sheath), which is described later on this article.
The Atman is distinct from the 5 koshas. Simply as smoke, which arises from hearth, can conceal the fireplace, the koshas although depending on the Atman for his or her existence veil the presence of the Atman. But, it’s the Atman that illuminates and pervades all of them.
In Ayurvedic and philosophical texts, two forms of relationships are described:
- Samavaya relation – An inseparable relationship
- Samyoga relation – A short lived or separable connection
Samavaya is mentioned in Padarth Vigyan (the science of matter) because the inseparable bond between a topic and its inherent qualities. Nonetheless, there isn’t any Samavaya relationship between the Atman and the koshas.
Samyoga describes a separable relationship, like that between a drum and a stick. However even this can not apply to the Atman and the koshas, as a result of the Atman is just not composed of the 5 parts or bodily matter.
The relationship between Atman and the koshas is barely the Adhyasa (illusory or superimposed).
Human character & idea of koshas
Guhāhitaṁ Brahma yat tat pañcakośa vivekataḥ, boddhuṁ śakyaṁ tataḥ kośa pañcakaṁ pravi vicyate
This verse refers to Brahman hidden within the cave of the center, which is to be understood by way of the discrimination of the 5 koshas.
The human character is a mix of bodily, psychological, and non secular elements. It consists of patterns of ideas, feelings, behaviours, social interactions, values, and attitudes that form one’s self-perception and life expertise.
In line with the Upanishads, the Purusha (the Self or interior being) exists by way of:
These layers assist clarify how the Self expresses by way of completely different ranges of human existence, from the bodily to the blissful.
Historic background
- The Taittiriya Upanishad describes the human being as having a five-sheath character (Pancha Kosha), which corresponds with the idea of Sharira Traya the three our bodies.
- The Triguna Concept: Historic Indian philosophy explains that character will be refined by way of tapas (austerity) and value-based training, guided by the idea of the three gunas—Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas. These gunas bind the soul to the fabric world and affect psychological and emotional tendencies..
- Ideas from Sankhya Philosophy: In line with Sankhya philosophy, there are two everlasting rules:
- Purusha – Aware, clever, and inactive
- Prakriti – Unconscious, non-intelligent, and lively
These two are interconnected and collectively give rise to the formation of the Sharira Traya (three our bodies), which shall be defined additional on this article.
- In Ayurvedic texts, character can also be categorised into 16 varieties primarily based on the gunas 7 Sattva, 6 Rajas, and 3 Tamas varieties. These classifications describe dominant traits and temperaments in people.
The idea of Pancha Koshas, as talked about within the Taittiriya Upanishad, presents a Vedantic psycho-philosophical framework to grasp human character throughout bodily, psychological, and non secular dimensions.
Pancha-kosha: 5 Layers to the self
In Sanskrit, Kosha means “sheath” or “masking.” Koshas are understood as layers by way of which consciousness flows—from the outer physique towards the interior Self and thus cowl the Atman.
Pancha Kosha refers back to the idea in yogic philosophy that there are 5 layers or sheaths surrounding the human soul. These layers additionally symbolize the 5 elements of human character.
Very like the chakra system, the 5 koshas are organized one throughout the different—from the outermost bodily layer to the innermost sheath of bliss. These 5 layers exist throughout the three our bodies (Sharira Traya) often called the gross, delicate, and causal our bodies.
The traditional view of “character” or “physique structure” is structured by way of these 5 sheaths:
- Annamaya Kosha
- Pranamaya Kosha
- Manomaya Kosha
- Vijananamaya Kosha
- Anandamaya Kosha
1. Annamaya Kosha(bodily sheath)
Annamaya comes from Anna (meals) and Maya (manufactured from). This sheath represents the bodily physique, which is nourished by meals and composed of the 5 parts earth, water, hearth, air, and area. It’s related to the Root Chakra and the earth ingredient.
This sheath is dominated by Tamo Guna, and it’s perishable, having each a starting and an finish.
In yoga, bodily postures (asanas) assist strengthen and stability the Annamaya Kosha.
This sheath arises from the union of Shukla (male seed) and Sonita (feminine seed), and continues its growth by way of nourishment from meals. Even semen, as per Ayurvedic understanding, is a by-product of meals synthesis.
The Annamaya Kosha kinds the bottom of character, influencing one’s bodily, emotional, and social traits, and it undergoes the six modifications (Shad Bhava Vikara):
- Beginning
- Existence
- Development
- Change
- Decay
- Demise
Strategies to purify and develop this sheath embody:
- Upavas (fasting)
- Asanas (Yogic postures)
- Tatvashudhi (Interior Purification)
- Tapashcharya (Observe of austerity).
- Letting our soul free from worldly attachments from the bodily physique are the primary goal of spirituality. (3)
Step one in spirituality is to detach the soul from the identification with this meals sheath. Most trendy drugs primarily acts on this layer.
2. Pranamaya kosha (very important power sheath)
Pranamaya refers back to the sheath manufactured from prana, the life drive. It consists of the 5 main pranas, which maintain the bodily physique and function a bridge to the psychological layer (Manomaya Kosha).
This kosha is influenced by Rajo Guna, indicating dynamic exercise. Although extra delicate than the bodily physique, it too is perishable and has a starting and an finish.
In yoga, pranayama (respiratory methods) and asanas regulate this sheath. Prana originates from Moola Prakriti the Divine Mom or root of nature.
3. Manomaya Kosha (psychological sheath)
The Manomaya Kosha is made up of the thoughts and is nourished by ideas and sensory impressions. It performs an important position in processing feelings, needs, and interactions with the world.
This sheath consists of the gyanendriyas (sense organs) and karmendriyas (organs of motion), which assist us understand and act upon the outer world:
- Gyanendriyas are the 5 sense organs; eyes (imaginative and prescient), ears (listening to), nostril (odor), tongue (style), and pores and skin (contact)—by way of which we understand objects.
- Karmendriyas are the organs of motion that enable us to answer the surroundings, resembling arms, toes, mouth (speech), reproductive organs, and organs of excretion.
The Manomaya Kosha is shaped by a mixture of Sattva guna (purity) and Tamo guna (inertia). It’s perishable in nature—that means it has a starting and an finish.
This kosha acts because the psychological college that receives sensory indicators, interprets them as optimistic or unfavorable, after which develops needs—primarily aspiring for what’s perceived as optimistic.
The first capabilities of the Manomaya Kosha embody:
- Sankalpas – decoding intentions and getting ready the thoughts to behave accordingly.
- Vikalpas – rejecting unfavorable or undesirable ideas and actions.
The thoughts holds sure traits often called Vrittis like lust, anger, greed, and extra. These Vrittis trigger the ideas within the thoughts to always fluctuate, which is why the thoughts is known as Vikari (topic to vary).
In distinction, the Atman our true Self is Nirvikara, that means it’s unchanging and past all modifications.
The thoughts, together with the 5 sense organs (tongue, nostril, eyes, ears, and pores and skin), kinds the Manomaya Kosha, additionally referred to as the mind-sheath.
Numerous elements of yoga follow affect this kosha. For instance:
- Meditation calms the stressed thoughts.
- Alternate nostril respiratory (Nadi Shodhana) balances psychological power and improves readability.
4. Vijnanamaya Kosha (knowledge sheath)
The Vijnanamaya Kosha, or mental sheath, is made up of vijnana, which suggests mind or knowledge. This kosha is intently linked to the throat chakra and ruled by the air ingredient, representing readability, expression, and understanding.
It includes the mind (buddhi) together with the 5 sense organs, and governs deeper psychological capabilities resembling willpower, discrimination, and decision-making. It’s nourished by the ego and shapes our capability to analyse, choose, and reply consciously to life experiences.
This sheath capabilities even within the deep sleep state, the place pure intelligence displays as Chidabhasa the delicate reflection of consciousness within the mind.
Though delicate, the Vijnanamaya Kosha will depend on the extra exterior sheaths (just like the physique and breath) for its functioning. In yogic philosophy, meditation is the important thing follow to purify and transcend this sheath, permitting one to maneuver nearer to the interior self.
5. Anandamaya kosha (bliss sheath)
Ananda means a state of deep pleasure or bliss. In Advaita Vedanta, the Anandamaya Kosha is the innermost sheath and is closest to the soul (Atman). Due to this shut connection, it naturally displays the enjoyment that comes from the soul.
This sheath is related to feelings and consciousness. It belongs to the causal physique and is commonly seen because the layer the place the soul expresses itself. The Anandamaya Kosha is just not restricted by ideas or actions. It’s felt most clearly throughout deep sleep, the place the thoughts is quiet and the individual experiences peace with out understanding it.
This kosha expresses three stunning qualities of the soul:
- Sat – Fact and everlasting being
- Chit – Consciousness or consciousness, the standard that reveals one thing is alive
- Ananda – Pure pleasure or happiness
The Anandamaya Kosha is probably the most delicate of all 5 koshas. It may solely be felt when the thoughts is calm and the opposite sheaths are balanced. Bliss comes not from outdoors however from the deep reference to our interior self.
5 Koshas lies in three our bodies (sharira traya)
The 5 koshas (sheaths) that form human character will not be separate from our physique however exist inside three ranges of our being, referred to as the Sharira Traya the Gross Physique, Delicate Physique, and Causal Physique. Every kosha finds its place inside these three our bodies and displays a particular layer of our existence.
1. Sthula Sharira/ Gross Physique
- The gross physique is the bodily physique underlined with the sheath of Prana – the very important air.
- It’s the product of 5 Gross Components (Earth, Water, Fireplace, Air, House).
- This physique is Topic to six adjustments (Existence, Beginning, Development, Change, Decay & Demise).
- Bodily medium to expertise ache & pleasure.
- Incorporates the physique in Seed type in Waking State (Jagrata Avastha) viz Thoughts is totally Purposeful (purna vikasah).
2. Linga Sharira/ Delicate or Astral Physique
- The delicate physique is the very important power area for balancing psychological and mental state.
- It incorporates Pranamaya Kosha (sheath of prana), the Manomaya Kosha (sheath of thoughts), and the Vigyanmaya Kosha (sheath of mind).
- Product of 5 Delicate Components
- 5 Organs of Notion (jnanendreiya) & 5 Organs of Motion (karmandreiya)
- 5 Important Forces (prana)
- Incorporates the Physique in Seed type in Dream State (Svapna Avastha) during which thoughts is partially Purposeful (Ardha vikasah).
3. Karan Sharira/ Informal Physique
Karana Sharira or Causal physique is the map template which is the only trigger for the gross and delicate our bodies.
- The causal physique manifests the ego.
- Anandmaya Kosh (sheath of bliss) resides within the Causal physique (Karana Sharira).
- It defines the state of Ignorance (avidya), Indescribable, Beginningless
- Incorporates the Physique in Seed type in Dream-less Deep Sleep (sushupti – Nitya pralaya) i.e. Thoughts is nearly Non-Purposeful (avikasah).
- Karta and bhokta viz the doer and the enjoyer, designate the mental sheath and the causal sheath.
- Within the causal sheath, there’s a balancing of the properties of Nature (Prakriti)—sattva, rajas, and tamas
Conclusion
Hindu scriptures describe the physique–thoughts advanced as made up of 5 sheaths (koshas):
- Annamaya kosha: the bodily sheath
- Pranamaya kosha: the sheath of prana (the very important air)
- Manomaya kosha: the sheath of thoughts
- Vijnanamaya kosha: the sheath of mind
- Annadmaya kosha: the sheath of bliss.
These sheaths are layered one throughout the different, with the Annamaya Kosha (bodily physique) because the outermost and the Anandamaya Kosha (bliss sheath) because the innermost. The journey of non secular progress begins by detaching from the outermost sheath and shifting inward.
Step one in non secular follow is liberating the soul from attachment to the bodily physique. The final word intention is to maneuver past the bodily and psychological ranges and abide within the Vijnanamaya (knowledge) and Anandamaya (bliss) sheaths, the place the expertise of true self and interior peace resides.