Have you ever ever questioned 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 vitality. And vitality just isn’t seen, however felt, by the move of consciousness.
In yogic philosophy, consciousness flows by 5 layers to succeed in the innermost essence, generally known as the Atman (or Self, in Vedanta). These 5 layers are known 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 all states of existence waking, dreaming, deep sleep, loss of life, rebirth, and supreme liberation.
References from upanishads about atman
A number of Upanishads describe the character of Atman by highly effective verses.
- The Kathopanishad defines Atman as subtler than the subtlest and better than the best, residing within the coronary heart of each residing being.
Anoraniyan mahato mahiyan Atmasya jantornihito guhayam (Katho.I-ii-20).
This verse highlights Atman because the everlasting presence inside 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 a number of key qualities:
- Chaitanya Svarupah – The very nature of pure consciousness
- Svatantrah – Fully impartial, not depending on something
- Nirgunah – Past materials qualities, with none attributes
- Nityah – Everlasting and unchanging
- Sarvagatah – Current in all places, 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, house, 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 fireplace, can conceal the hearth, 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 kinds of relationships are described:
- Samavaya relation – An inseparable relationship
- Samyoga relation – A brief or separable connection
Samavaya is mentioned in Padarth Vigyan (the science of matter) because the inseparable bond between a topic and its inherent qualities. Nevertheless, there isn’t a 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’t apply to the Atman and the koshas, as a result of the Atman just isn’t composed of the 5 parts or bodily matter.
The relationship between Atman and the koshas is simply 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 the discrimination of the 5 koshas.
The human character is a mix of bodily, psychological, and religious elements. It contains patterns of ideas, feelings, behaviours, social interactions, values, and attitudes that form one’s self-perception and life expertise.
In response to the Upanishads, the Purusha (the Self or internal being) exists by way of:
These layers assist clarify how the Self expresses by 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 Idea: Historical Indian philosophy explains that character will be refined by 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..
- Rules from Sankhya Philosophy: In response to Sankhya philosophy, there are two everlasting rules:
- Purusha – Acutely aware, clever, and inactive
- Prakriti – Unconscious, non-intelligent, and energetic
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 categorized 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 speculation of Pancha Koshas, as talked about within the Taittiriya Upanishad, provides a Vedantic psycho-philosophical framework to grasp human character throughout bodily, psychological, and religious dimensions.
Pancha-kosha: 5 Layers to the self
In Sanskrit, Kosha means “sheath” or “masking.” Koshas are understood as layers by which consciousness flows—from the outer physique towards the internal 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 signify the 5 elements of human character.
Very like the chakra system, the 5 koshas are organized one inside the different—from the outermost bodily layer to the innermost sheath of bliss. These 5 layers exist throughout the three our bodies (Sharira Traya) generally known as the gross, delicate, and causal our bodies.
The traditional view of “character” or “physique structure” is structured by 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 (made from). This sheath represents the bodily physique, which is nourished by meals and composed of the 5 parts earth, water, fireplace, air, and house. 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 nourishment from meals. Even semen, as per Ayurvedic understanding, is a by-product of meals synthesis.
The Annamaya Kosha varieties the bottom of character, influencing one’s bodily, emotional, and social traits, and it undergoes the six modifications (Shad Bhava Vikara):
- Beginning
- Existence
- Progress
- Change
- Decay
- Demise
Strategies to purify and develop this sheath embody:
- Upavas (fasting)
- Asanas (Yogic postures)
- Tatvashudhi (Inside Purification)
- Tapashcharya (Follow 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 medication primarily acts on this layer.
2. Pranamaya kosha (very important vitality sheath)
Pranamaya refers back to the sheath made from prana, the life pressure. It contains 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 strategies) 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 contains 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 which we understand objects.
- Karmendriyas are the organs of motion that permit us to reply to the atmosphere, resembling fingers, ft, mouth (speech), reproductive organs, and organs of excretion.
The Manomaya Kosha is shaped by a mix 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 alerts, interprets them as constructive or adverse, after which develops needs—primarily aspiring for what’s perceived as constructive.
The first features of the Manomaya Kosha embody:
- Sankalpas – decoding intentions and getting ready the thoughts to behave accordingly.
- Vikalpas – rejecting adverse or undesirable ideas and actions.
The thoughts holds sure traits generally known as Vrittis like lust, anger, greed, and extra. These Vrittis trigger the ideas within the thoughts to continually fluctuate, which is why the thoughts 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), varieties the Manomaya Kosha, additionally known as the mind-sheath.
Numerous elements of yoga observe affect this kosha. For instance:
- Meditation calms the stressed thoughts.
- Alternate nostril respiratory (Nadi Shodhana) balances psychological vitality 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 carefully 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 features resembling willpower, discrimination, and decision-making. It’s nourished by the ego and shapes our capability to analyse, decide, and reply consciously to life experiences.
This sheath features 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 relies on the extra exterior sheaths (just like the physique and breath) for its functioning. In yogic philosophy, meditation is the important thing observe to purify and transcend this sheath, permitting one to maneuver nearer to the internal 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 just isn’t restricted by ideas or actions. It’s felt most clearly throughout deep sleep, the place the thoughts is quiet and the particular person experiences peace with out understanding it.
This kosha expresses three stunning qualities of the soul:
- Sat – Reality and everlasting being
- Chit – Consciousness or consciousness, the standard that exhibits one thing is alive
- Ananda – Pure pleasure or happiness
The Anandamaya Kosha is essentially the most delicate of all 5 koshas. It might probably 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 internal self.
5 Koshas lies in three our bodies (sharira traya)
The 5 koshas (sheaths) that form human character should not separate from our physique however exist inside three ranges of our being, known as the Sharira Traya the Gross Physique, Refined 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, Hearth, Air, Area).
- This physique is Topic to six adjustments (Existence, Beginning, Progress, Change, Decay & Demise).
- Bodily medium to expertise ache & pleasure.
- Comprises the physique in Seed kind in Waking State (Jagrata Avastha) viz Thoughts is absolutely Useful (purna vikasah).
2. Linga Sharira/ Refined or Astral Physique
- The delicate physique is the very important vitality area for balancing psychological and mental state.
- It comprises Pranamaya Kosha (sheath of prana), the Manomaya Kosha (sheath of thoughts), and the Vigyanmaya Kosha (sheath of mind).
- Product of 5 Refined Components
- 5 Organs of Notion (jnanendreiya) & 5 Organs of Motion (karmandreiya)
- 5 Important Forces (prana)
- Comprises the Physique in Seed kind in Dream State (Svapna Avastha) through which thoughts is partially Useful (Ardha vikasah).
3. Karan Sharira/ Informal Physique
Karana Sharira or Causal physique is the map template which is the only real 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
- Comprises the Physique in Seed kind in Dream-less Deep Sleep (sushupti – Nitya pralaya) i.e. Thoughts is nearly Non-Useful (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 complicated 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 inside the different, with the Annamaya Kosha (bodily physique) because the outermost and the Anandamaya Kosha (bliss sheath) because the innermost. The journey of religious progress begins by detaching from the outermost sheath and transferring inward.
Step one in religious observe is liberating the soul from attachment to the bodily physique. The last 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 internal peace resides.