Changes

{{ToBeEdited}}

{{ToBeEdited}}

Panchakoshas (Samskrit: पञ्चकोशाः) literally mean the "five koshas". The term kosha (कोशः) is used in the meaning of sheath, container, layer or vesture often used to metaphorically describe the nested layers of a [[Jiva (जीवः)|Jiva]], like the concentric sheaths of an onion. Yet another pivotal concept of [[Sanatana Dharma (सनातनधर्मः)|Sanatana Dharma]], this topic deals with the identity of the [[Jiva (जीवः)|Jiva]], as an embodied form distinct from [[Atman (आत्मन्)|Atman]] or [[Indian Concept of Self|Self]]. The three shariras or bodies which constitute a human being is seen in the Taittiriya Upanishad. This knowledge gives insights into how the Atman is bound in various layers of existence, how to purify those layers and liberate oneself and finally attain the perfection of life.  [[File:4. Panchakoshas(Article).jpg|306x306px|'''<big>Panchakoshas</big>'''|alt=|right|frameless]]Knowledge of these five koshas helps [[Purusha (पुरुषः)|Purusha]] to uncouple from Prkrti and recognize the highest good. The Yoga path of Self-realization is one of progressively moving inward, through each of these sheaths, so as to experience the eternal center of consciousness.<ref name=":0">http://sivanandaonline.org/public_html/?cmd=displaysection&section_id=748</ref>

Panchakoshas (Samskrit: पञ्चकोशाः) literally mean the "five koshas". The term kosha (कोशः) is used in the meaning of sheath, container, layer or vesture often used to metaphorically describe the nested layers of a [[Jiva (जीवः)|Jiva]], like the concentric sheaths of an onion. Yet another pivotal concept of [[Sanatana Dharma (सनातनधर्मः)|Sanatana Dharma]], this topic deals with the identity of the [[Jiva (जीवः)|Jiva]], as an embodied form distinct from [[Atman (आत्मन्)|Atman]] or [[Indian Concept of Self|Self]]. The three shariras or bodies which constitute a human being is seen in the Taittiriya Upanishad. This knowledge gives insights into how the Atman is bound in various layers of existence, how to pu, liberate oneself, liberate oneself and finally attain the perfection of life.   

 

Knowing these five koshas helps [[Purusha (पुरुषः)|Purusha]] uncouple from Prkrti and recognize the highest good. The Yoga path of Self-realization is one of progressively moving inward through each of these sheaths to experience the eternal center of consciousness.<ref name=":0">http://sivanandaonline.org/public_html/?cmd=displaysection&section_id=748</ref>

Spiritual traditions originated in India have linked vitality to mental, physical, and spiritual health and viewed it as something that can be actively nourished or depleted. The sheath of emotions and rationality or intellect corresponds to our root inclination–partly innate, partly acquired through socialization, creates a distinction between self and the social and natural environment, and engender dualities and distinctions<ref name=":02">Pandey, A., & Navare, A. V. (2018). Paths of Yoga: Perspective for Workplace Spirituality. In ''The Palgrave Handbook of Workplace Spirituality and Fulfilment''. Palgrave Macmillan Cham.</ref>.  

Spiritual traditions originated in India have linked vitality to mental, physical, and spiritual health and viewed it as something that can be actively nourished or depleted. The sheath of emotions and rationality or intellect corresponds to our root inclination–partly innate, partly acquired through socialization, creates a distinction between self and the social and natural environment, and engender dualities and distinctions<ref name=":02">Pandey, A., & Navare, A. V. (2018). Paths of Yoga: Perspective for Workplace Spirituality. In ''The Palgrave Handbook of Workplace Spirituality and Fulfilment''. Palgrave Macmillan Cham.</ref>.  

==परिचयः॥ Introduction==

==परिचयः॥ Introduction==

In the Taittriya Upanishad and in later day texts like Panchadashi by Vidyaranya Svami and Tattvabodha by Shri Shankaracharya, we find details about the five sheaths that encapsulate the Inner Consciousness or the Pure Consciousness of a being. In the Taittriya Upanishad, Brahmanandavalli, the discussion about Annamaya kosha starts towards the end of Prathama Anuvaka and the concluding Anandamaya kosha is presented in the Panchama Anuvaka. While a few sheaths are gross or visible to the eye, the others are subtle and invisible to the eye. At the worldly interactive level, a human being is active at the physical, vital and mental bodies and any disturbance in these bodies leads to visible altered mental and physical health of the being as per the Ayurvedic texts.  

In the Taittriya Upanishad and in later day texts like Panchadashi by Vidyaranya Svami and Tattvabodha by Shri Shankaracharya, we find details about the five sheaths that encapsulate the Inner Consciousness or the Pure Consciousness of a being. In the Taittriya Upanishad, Brahmanandavalli, the discussion about Annamaya kosha starts towards the end of Prathama Anuvaka and the concluding Anandamaya kosha is presented in the Panchama Anuvaka. While a few sheaths are gross or visible to the eye, the others are subtle and invisible to the eye. At the worldly interactive level, a human being is active at the physical, vital and mental bodies and any disturbance in these bodies leads to visible altered mental and physical health of the being as per the Ayurvedic texts. [[File:4. Panchakoshas(Article).jpg|306x306px|'''<big>Panchakoshas</big>'''|alt=|right|frameless]]In Yoga tradition, human existence is accepted to be in the form of sheaths infolded which gets unfolded with his increasing levels of awareness.<ref name=":02" /> The five sheaths mentioned are<ref>Taittriyopanishad, Sanuvaad Shankarabhashya-sahita (2000 Third Edition) Gorakhpur: Gita Press. (Pages - 120)</ref><ref>Pillay, Y., Ziff, K. K., & Bhat, C. S. (2008). Vedanta personality development: A model to enhance the cultural competency of psychotherapist. International Journal of Hindu Studies, 12(1), 65–79. doi: 10.1007/s11407-008 9057-9</ref>

 

In Yoga tradition, human existence is accepted to be in the form of sheaths infolded which gets unfolded with his increasing levels of awareness.<ref name=":02" /> The five sheaths mentioned are<ref>Taittriyopanishad, Sanuvaad Shankarabhashya-sahita (2000 Third Edition) Gorakhpur: Gita Press. (Pages - 120)</ref><ref>Pillay, Y., Ziff, K. K., & Bhat, C. S. (2008). Vedanta personality development: A model to enhance the cultural competency of psychotherapist. International Journal of Hindu Studies, 12(1), 65–79. doi: 10.1007/s11407-008 9057-9</ref>

#अन्नमयकोशः॥ Annamaya kosha (physical)

#अन्नमयकोशः॥ Annamaya kosha (physical)

#प्राणमयकोशः ॥ Pranamaya kosha (vital air or energy)

#प्राणमयकोशः ॥ Pranamaya kosha (vital air or energy)

When the Annamayakosha gets purified one becomes healthy. When the Pranmayakosha gets purified one becomes skillful and talented. When the Manomayakosha is purified one becomes sensitive. When the Vijnanmayakosha is purified one becomes conscientious and attains wisdom. When the Anandmayakosha is purified, the person develops gratitude. So, Panchakoshas ensures a healthy, skillful, sensitive, conscientious and grateful individual. Purification of all the five sheaths is necessary for a person's complete evolution and the ultimate union with the Divine.

When the Annamayakosha gets purified one becomes healthy. When the Pranmayakosha gets purified one becomes skillful and talented. When the Manomayakosha is purified one becomes sensitive. When the Vijnanmayakosha is purified one becomes conscientious and attains wisdom. When the Anandmayakosha is purified, the person develops gratitude. So, Panchakoshas ensures a healthy, skillful, sensitive, conscientious and grateful individual. Purification of all the five sheaths is necessary for a person's complete evolution and the ultimate union with the Divine.

==Panchakoshas==

==पञ्च कोशाः ॥ 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. Tattvabodha clarifies thus,<blockquote>पञ्च कोशाः के ? अन्नमयः प्राणमयः मनोमयः विज्ञानमयः आनन्दमयश्चेति ।</blockquote>The five sheaths (pancha-koshas) from gross to fine are <ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">http://www.swamij.com/koshas.htm</ref>

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. Tattvabodha clarifies thus,<blockquote>पञ्च कोशाः के ? अन्नमयः प्राणमयः मनोमयः विज्ञानमयः आनन्दमयश्चेति ।</blockquote>The five sheaths (pancha-koshas) from gross to fine are <ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">http://www.swamij.com/koshas.htm</ref>

Vijnanamaya or the determinative faculty is the Inner self as it is the prime mover of the mental vrittis. Thus, Vijnana is the agent of all thoughts and actions. Then, the self which has entered here, like the sun in the water, etc., with the attributes of enjoyer and doer; this is the seer, toucher, hearer, smeller, taster, thinker, knower, doer, the intelligent self (''Vignâna'' means the intellect being the instrument by which things are known). Here, it means, he who knows, ''i.e.,'' the knower. <ref name=":6" />

Vijnanamaya or the determinative faculty is the Inner self as it is the prime mover of the mental vrittis. Thus, Vijnana is the agent of all thoughts and actions. Then, the self which has entered here, like the sun in the water, etc., with the attributes of enjoyer and doer; this is the seer, toucher, hearer, smeller, taster, thinker, knower, doer, the intelligent self (''Vignâna'' means the intellect being the instrument by which things are known). Here, it means, he who knows, ''i.e.,'' the knower. <ref name=":6" />

'''Panchadasi''' clarifies why Vijnanamaya kosha cannot be Atman itself as it is subject to modifications.

'''Panchadasi''' clarifies why Vijnanamaya kosha cannot be Atman itself as it is subject to modifications.

'''Unfavourable factors:''' Being insulted or having the propensity to insult, disobedience, arrogance, fanaticism, too much strictness, suspicion, pride, over endeavour, agitation, blind faith, frog mentality, etc.

'''Unfavourable factors:''' Being insulted or having the propensity to insult, disobedience, arrogance, fanaticism, too much strictness, suspicion, pride, over endeavour, agitation, blind faith, frog mentality, etc.

== आनंदमयकोशः ॥ Anandmayakosha ==

== आनंदमयकोशः ॥ Anandamayakosha ==

The fifth sheath is the Anandamaya Kosha. This is the most interior of the koshas, and is the first of the koshas surrounding the Atman. This blissful sheath is a reflection of the Atman which is truth, beauty, bliss absolute. In deep sleep, when the mind and senses cease functioning, it still stands between the finite world and the self.<ref name=":1" />

The fifth and innermost sheath is the Anandamaya Kosha. This is the most interior of the koshas, and is the first of the koshas surrounding the Atman. This blissful sheath is a reflection of the Atman which is truth, beauty, bliss absolute. In deep sleep, when the mind and senses cease functioning, it still stands between the finite world and the self.<ref name=":1" />

It is endowed with the three Vrittis, viz., Priya, Moda and Pramoda. Priya is the happiness that arises in one from the mere sight of a desired object. Moda is the happiness which one enjoys when he is in possession of a desired object. Pramoda is the happiness which one gets from the actual enjoyment of the desired object. This sheath makes itself spontaneously felt to the fortunate during the fruition of their virtuous deeds.<ref name=":0" />

It is endowed with the three Vrittis, viz., Priya, Moda and Pramoda. Priya is the happiness that arises in one from the mere sight of a desired object. Moda is the happiness which one enjoys when he is in possession of a desired object. Pramoda is the happiness which one gets from the actual enjoyment of the desired object. This sheath makes itself spontaneously felt to the fortunate during the fruition of their virtuous deeds.<ref name=":0" />

Man generally says: I am the enjoyer. I am happy. I am peaceful. I am contented. I am Sattvic. I am Rajasic. I am Tamasic. I am a dull man. I am an ignorant man. I am a miserable man. I am a discontented person. I am a man of discrimination. I am a vicious person. I am a deluded person. Here the attributes of the Anandamaya Kosha are falsely ascribed to the Atman.<ref name=":0" />

Man generally says: I am the enjoyer. I am happy. I am peaceful. I am contented. I am Sattvic. I am Rajasic. I am Tamasic. I am a dull man. I am an ignorant man. I am a miserable man. I am a discontented person. I am a man of discrimination. I am a vicious person. I am a deluded person. Here the attributes of the Anandamaya Kosha are falsely ascribed to the Atman.<ref name=":0" />

The Anandamaya Kosha cannot be the Atman, because it is endowed with changeful attributes. It is a modification of Prakriti. It is the effect of past good deeds. It has an end. You are not the Anandamaya Kosha. You are entirely distinct from this sheath. You are always the knower of this sheath.<ref name=":0" />

 

 

The Anandamaya Kosha cannot be the Atman, because it is endowed with changeful attributes. It is a modification of Prakriti. It is the effect of past good deeds. It has an end. You are always the knower of this sheath.<ref name=":0" />

It is the subtle most of the five koshas. In the silence of deep meditation, this too is let go of, so as to experience the center.<ref name=":1" />

It is the subtle most of the five koshas. In the silence of deep meditation, this too is let go of, so as to experience the center.<ref name=":1" />