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Panchakoshas (samskrit : पंचकोश) are discussed in the Bhriguvalli Chapter of Taittiriya Upanishad. This knowledge teaches how the atma is bound in various layers of existence, how to purify those layers and liberate oneself and finally attain the perfection of life.  

Panchakoshas (samskrit : पंचकोश) are discussed in the Bhriguvalli Chapter of Taittiriya Upanishad. This knowledge teaches how the atma is bound in various layers of existence, how to purify those layers and liberate oneself and finally attain the perfection of life.

== What are panchakoshas? ==

== What are panchakoshas? ==

While most individuals seek happiness by looking outward to obtain experiences (bhoga), a person pursuing self realization (yogi) uses the body and his life time to have an inward journey. There are five sheaths or layers of our body, which are called Panchakoshas. These koshas proceed inwards from gross to subtle layers.

While most individuals seek happiness by looking outward to obtain experiences (bhoga), a person pursuing self realization (yogi) uses the body and his life time to have an inward journey. There are five sheaths or layers of our body, which are called Panchakoshas. These koshas proceed inwards from gross to subtle layers.

The five layers are Annamayakosh (physical sheath), Pranamayakosha (energy or vital-air sheath), Manomayakosha (mental sheath), Vijnanamayakosha (intelligent sheath) and Anandamayakosha (blissful sheath)

The five layers are  

 

# Annamayakosha (physical sheath) describes the body

# Pranamayakosha (energy or vital-air sheath) describes the vital force within the body

# Manomayakosha (mental sheath) describes the behavioural component within the vital force. It is common to man and animals.

# Vijnanamayakosha (intelligent sheath) describes the intellectual component within the manomayakosha, that distinguishes the man from animals.

# Anandamayakosha (blissful sheath) is the highest development of man consisting of his self-realization leading to the anandayamaya state.

The gross body or sthula sharira is the physical body. Subtle body or sukshma sharira is furthur divided into two. In the head area lives the mind and intellect and the causal body or karan sharira is in the heart area and here lives ego and chitta. Food sheath and the gross portion of vital-air sheath together constitutes the gross body. The subtle portion of vital-air sheath together constitute the gross body. The subtle portion of vital-air sheath combined with mental and intellectual sheaths form the subtle body. While the gross body is made of gross matter, the subtle body is constituted of passions, desires, emotions, feeling and thoughts. Bliss sheath is the causal body consisting of (vasanas) desires for enjoyment alone.

The gross body or sthula sharira is the physical body. Subtle body or sukshma sharira is furthur divided into two. In the head area lives the mind and intellect and the causal body or karan sharira is in the heart area and here lives ego and chitta. Food sheath and the gross portion of vital-air sheath together constitutes the gross body. The subtle portion of vital-air sheath together constitute the gross body. The subtle portion of vital-air sheath combined with mental and intellectual sheaths form the subtle body. While the gross body is made of gross matter, the subtle body is constituted of passions, desires, emotions, feeling and thoughts. Bliss sheath is the causal body consisting of (vasanas) desires for enjoyment alone.

Also called the physical sheath consists of gross physical body and the senses. The five organs of perception (jnanendriyas) viz. eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin and the five organs of action (karmendriyas) viz, hands, legs, belly, genitals and rectum, are a part of it. Anna means foodgrains; hence the layer of body which is dependent and sustained on food grains is called as Annamayakosha. This layer is made of five gross material elements viz. earth, water, fire, air and ether. When food is consumed it is transformed into (rasa) plasma, liquid in which nutrients float. plasma into (rakta) blood, blood into (mamsa) muscles, muscles into (medha) fat, medha into (asthi) bones, asthi into (majja) marrow, marrow into (shukra) or the reproductive fluid. The reproductive fluid is transformed into (ojha) immunity. When this kosha is purified one becomes physically healthy.

Also called the physical sheath consists of gross physical body and the senses. The five organs of perception (jnanendriyas) viz. eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin and the five organs of action (karmendriyas) viz, hands, legs, belly, genitals and rectum, are a part of it. Anna means foodgrains; hence the layer of body which is dependent and sustained on food grains is called as Annamayakosha. This layer is made of five gross material elements viz. earth, water, fire, air and ether. When food is consumed it is transformed into (rasa) plasma, liquid in which nutrients float. plasma into (rakta) blood, blood into (mamsa) muscles, muscles into (medha) fat, medha into (asthi) bones, asthi into (majja) marrow, marrow into (shukra) or the reproductive fluid. The reproductive fluid is transformed into (ojha) immunity. When this kosha is purified one becomes physically healthy.

'''Domain'''

'''Domain:''' Physical health which includes weight, height, chest, sight, capacity of hearing, smelling, muscles, bones, hair, strength, bodily beauty, nourishment, etc.

Physical health which includes weight, height, chest, sight, capacity of hearing, smelling, muscles, bones, hair, strength, bodily beauty, nourishment, etc.

'''Functions'''

'''Functions:''' Food storing, attraction, reproduction and also to be the medium for the functioning of other kosha's, for example if the mind desires to enjoy a cookie, that desire is fulfilled by the body.

Food storing, attraction, reproduction and also to be the medium for the functioning of other kosha's, for example if the mind desires to enjoy a cookie, that desire is fulfilled by the body.

'''Favourable factors'''

'''Favourable factors:''' Annamayakosha can be purified by focusing on four important factors. (Satvic ahar) food, (nidra) timely sleep, (vyayam) exercise and (suchi) cleanliness. Also Yama, niyama, asanas, tapashcharya (practice of auterity) and upavas (fasting for health) purify this kosha and make one fit to perform pranayama and control the life airs.

Annamayakosha can be purified by focusing on four important factors. (Satvic ahar) food, (nidra) timely sleep, (vyayam) exercise and (suchi) cleanliness. Also Yama, niyama, asanas, tapashcharya (practice of auterity) and upavas (fasting for health) purify this kosha and make one fit to perform pranayama and control the life airs.

'''Unfavourable factors'''

'''Unfavourable factors:''' Laziness, conflicts, addiction, malnutrition, starvation, disease, accident, unrestricted desires.  

Laziness, conflicts, addiction, malnutrition, starvation, disease, accident, unrestricted desires.  

== प्राणमय कोश || Pranamayakosha ==

== प्राणमय कोश || Pranamayakosha ==

This kosha is the basis of all the systems in our body. 72000 nadis or astral tubes are running throughout the body. This mesh of nadis holds the gross body and the subtle body. This nadis are not nerves of the nervous system but are subtler than the subtlest of the five gross elements i.e ether.

This kosha is the basis of all the systems in our body. 72000 nadis or astral tubes are running throughout the body. This mesh of nadis holds the gross body and the subtle body. This nadis are not nerves of the nervous system but are subtler than the subtlest of the five gross elements i.e ether.

'''Domain'''  

'''Domain:''' Energy levels, skills, talents

Energy levels, skills, talents

'''Function'''

'''Function:''' It holds the gross body and subtle body. All activities of the body are carried out. All systems of the body are based on Pranamayakosha.

It holds the gross body and subtle body.

All activities of the body are carried out.

All systems of the body are based on Pranamayakosha.

'''Favorable factors'''

'''Favorable factors:''' Sleeping early, rising early, sports, singing, elocution but the most important of them all is pranayaam. A regular pranayama workout helps maintain this kosha in good state. Acupunture, reiki and magnetotherapy seem to be working on this kosha.

Sleeping early, rising early, sports, singing, elocution but the most important of them all is pranayaam. A regular pranayama workout helps maintain this kosha in good state. Acupunture, reiki and magnetotherapy seem to be working on this kosha.

'''Unfavourable factors'''

'''Unfavourable factors:''' Too much or too less endeavours, fear, lamentation, uncontrolled anger, uncleanliness, indiscipline, stale humid or dry air.  

Too much or too less endeavours, fear, lamentation, uncontrolled anger, uncleanliness, indiscipline, stale humid or dry air.  

== मनोमय कोश || Manomayakosha ==

== मनोमय कोश || Manomayakosha ==