kosha

A kosha (also kosa; Sanskrit कोश, IAST: ), usually rendered "sheath", is a covering of the Atman, or Self according to Vedantic philosophy. The five sheaths, summarised with the term Panchakosha, are described in the Taittiriya Upanishad (2.1-5), and they are often visualised as the layers of an onion. From gross to fine they are: # Annamaya kosha, "food" sheath (Anna), the physical body; # Pranamaya kosha, "energy" sheath (Prana), the vital principle; # Manomaya kosha "mind" sheath (Manas), the mind and the five senses; # Vijñānamaya kosha, "discernment" or "Knowledge" sheath (Vigynana) # Anandamaya kosha, "bliss" sheath (Ananda)

A kosha (also kosa; Sanskrit कोश, IAST: ), usually rendered "sheath", is a covering of the Atman, or Self according to Vedantic philosophy. The five sheaths, summarised with the term Panchakosha, are described in the Taittiriya Upanishad (2.1-5), and they are often visualised as the layers of an onion. From gross to fine they are: Annamaya kosha, "food" sheath (Anna), the physical body; Pranamaya kosha, "energy" sheath (Prana), the vital principle; Manomaya kosha "mind" sheath (Manas), the mind and the five senses; Vijñānamaya kosha, "discernment" or "Knowledge" sheath (Vigynana) Anandamaya kosha, "bliss" sheath (Ananda)

Origins

The five sheaths summarised with the term Panchakosha are described in the Taittiriya Upanishad (2.1-5). Panchakoshas are divided in three bodies: The gross body sthula sarira - made up of physical matter. This body consists of Annamaya kosha. the subtle body suksma sarira - This body consists of Pranamaya Kosha, Manomaya Kosha and Vijnanamaya Kosha. the causal body karana sarira - This body consists of Anandamaya Kosha. The atman is behind the Panchakoshas. According to Vedanta the wise person, being aware of the subtle influences of the five elements within each kosha, ever discerns the Self amidst appearances.

The five sheaths

Significance

Ātman can be identified only by negation of the anatman. The Panchkoshas are anatman that hide the atman, these koshas or sheaths are required to be systematically removed. Their removal brings to fore a void which void is also required to be removed. After removal of the five sheaths and the resultant void through the process of negation, what remains is the Atman; and then the non-existence of all the modifications beginning with the ahamkara is self-witnessed, the self that witnesses is itself the supreme Self. These five sheaths envelop the atman or "Self". The Vedanta conceives the expression of the gross universe possible by traversing through all these stages of emanation from the cloud of Maya covering the face of Brahman to Sthula bhutas or gross matter with all its multifarious aspect including gross energy. Badarayana, drawing attention to ’s grammar (V.iv.21), explains that the suffix mayat as in Annamaya (made of food), Pranamaya (made of vital air) etc., besides conveying the meaning "made of" has also the sense of abundance and plenitude as well for which reason it is repeatedly said - Brahman is the Blissful (Anandamaya) Self.

References

External links

Swami Adiswarananda explanation of kośas ATMABODHA, by AdiSankara, translated by Swami Chinmayananda Detailed descriptions on yogamag.net The Pancha Koshas by Swami Sivananda

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Names in other languages