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Panchakosha (पञ्चकोशाः) (view source)
Revision as of 15:40, 14 February 2023
, 15:40, 14 February 2023Merged content from Five Koshas (पञ्चकोशाः) article.
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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.
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Pancha Koshas (also '''Kosa''' Samskrit कोशाः) usually rendered "sheath", is a covering of the Atman, or Self according to Vedanta tattvas. There are five Koshas, and they are often visualized as the layers of an onion.
Pancha Koshas (also '''Kosa''' Samskrit कोशाः) usually rendered "sheath", is a covering of the Atman, or Self according to Vedanta tattvas. There are five Koshas, and they are often visualized as the layers of an onion.
As the scabbard hides the sword, the outer shell covers the tamarind fruit, the coat covers the body, so also these five sheaths hide the Atman. 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§ion_id=748</ref>
As the scabbard hides the sword, the outer shell covers the tamarind fruit, the coat covers the body, so also these five sheaths hide the Atman. 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§ion_id=748</ref>
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Pancha Koshas (Samskrit: पञ्चकोशाः) literally mean the "five koshas". The term kosha (कोशः) is used in the meaning of sheath, container, layer or vesture. Yet another pivotal concept of Sanatana Dharma, this topic is about the five individual sheaths or layers that cover the Jiva, Atman or Self and the three shariras or bodies which constitute a human being. They are an integral part of the human existence unlike many other non-bharatiya views proclaiming that humans are mere physical bodies. According to these views the mental faculties or the mind are also directly controlled by the physical brain. Bharatiya traditions are all rooted in the fact that the human body and mind are bound as one entity until a certain stage when the being is able to overcome the karmas that make the Jiva travel in a loop of births and deaths. This concept is also a fundamental principle on which the explanation of Punarjanma or Reincarnation rests on; as the Jiva travels from one body to another with a Sukshma Sharira or subtle form in the cycle of births and deaths. Knowledge of these five koshas helps Purusha to uncouple from Prkrti and recognize the highest good.
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==
In the Taittriya Upanishad and Panchadashi by Vidyaranya Svami, we find extensive 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 all the Yoga traditions, human existence is accepted to be in the form of sheaths infolded in her which gets enfolded with his increasing levels of awareness.<ref name=":02" /> The five sheaths 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)'''
#'''प्राणमयकोशः ॥ Pranamaya kosha (vital air or energy)'''
#'''मनोमयकोशः ॥ Manomaya kosha (mental)'''
#'''विज्ञानमयकोशः ॥ Vijnanamaya kosha (intellectual)'''
#'''आनन्दमयकोशः ॥ Anandamaya kosha (bliss)'''
Vedanta Darsana sees the five sheaths as distinctly different than Atman and therefore what is real (the Atman) is obfuscated by the reality that we construct for ourselves through the experiences of the five sheaths<ref name=":2">Chinmayananda, S. (2011). Kindle life: The joy of living. Mumbai, IN: Central Chinmaya Mission Trust.</ref>. Shankaracharya describes the purpose of the sheaths as “I know the different conditions of my bodies and sheaths and therefore I am different from them”<ref>Tejomayananda, S. (2010). Tattva Bodha: Commentary by Swami Tejomayananda. Mumbai, IN: Central Chinmaya Mission Trust.</ref>.
===पञ्चकोशविवेक-प्रयोजनम् ॥ Use of Knowledge of Panchakoshas===
Vidyaranya's Panchadashi spells out the prayojana or use of the knowledge of Panchakoshas summarily extending it from the Taittriya Upanishad.<blockquote>यो वेद निहितं गुहायां परमे व्योमन् । सोऽश्नुते सर्वान् कामान् सह ब्रह्मणा विपश्चितेति ॥ (Tait. Upan. 2.1.1)<ref name=":3">Taittriya Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4% Brahmananda Valli])</ref></blockquote>The knowledge which aids to explore that which is "hidden" and helps a seeker to recognize Brahman - is the chief purpose of Panchakosha-viveka. Symbolically Brahmatattva which is well "hidden" is revealed by the knowledge of Panchakoshas.<blockquote>गुहाहितं ब्रह्म यत्तत्पञ्चकोशविवेकतः । बोद्धुं शक्यं ततः कोशपञ्चकं प्रविविच्यते ॥ १॥ (Panchdashi. 3.1)<ref name=":4">Panchadashi ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%80/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_-_%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0% Pariccheda 3])</ref></blockquote>It is said that by removing each layer of the Panchakoshas, the hidden Brahmatattva is revealed; thus pointing to the fact that Panchakoshas are separate (caused by Avidya or Ignorance) from what they encase, namely the seed of Brahman.<ref name=":5">Pt. Ramavatara Vidyabhaskar. ''Panchadashi by Sri.Vidyaranyamuni.'' Lahore: Hindi Bhavan Press (Pages 72-90)</ref> Further Vidyaranya elaborates on the location of each of these Koshas thus,<blockquote>देहादभ्यन्तरः प्राणः प्राणादभ्यन्तरं मनः । ततः कर्ता ततो भोक्ता गुहा सेयं परम्परा ॥ २॥ (Panchadashi. 3.2)<ref name=":4" /></blockquote>Encased within the Deha (body) is the Prana (Vital Energy), Prana encircles the Manas (Mind) and internal to the Manas is the Buddhi (intellect), and internal to Buddhi is Ananda (Bliss) and this is called as Guha.<ref name=":5" /> In this hidden cave is the Brahman who is understood by removing each of the layers of Panchakoshas.
==शरीरत्रयम् ॥ The Three Shariras==
The Pancha koshas are instrumental in designating what are called the Shariras, which have distinct roles in this grand system of Sristi. They are
#'''स्थूलशरीरम् ॥ sthūla-śarīra''' (gross body)
#'''सूक्ष्मशरीरम् ॥ sūkṣma-śarīra''' (subtle body)
#'''कारणशरीरम् ॥ kārana śarīra''' (causal body)
The outermost layer, sheath, or ''Kośa'' is called the ''annamayakośa,'' the sheath of material existence. It is his primitive identification with an ego encapsulated in his physical body (sthūla-śarīra, the gross body). Food refers to the five sense organs (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin) and organs of action (speech, hands, feet, genitals, and evacuation)<ref name=":12">Chinmayananda, S. (2010b). Self unfoldment. Mumbai: Central Chinmaya Mission Trust.</ref>.
Vital air refers to the activities that support the body and take place as a result of the air that we take in (physiological functions that result from the food sheath but do not require direct interaction with the world).<ref name=":2" /> Mental refers to the mind, which regulates the vital air sheath, such as the connection between breath and emotions<ref>Dhiman, S. (2010). Who am I: Self knowledge according to advaita vedanta. Interbeing, Spring, 17–28.</ref>. The intellectual sheath refers to the mind and the intellect. The intellect discerns and makes decisions and the mind communicates these decisions within the body<ref name=":12" />. The three layers together constitute what is called the “subtle body” (sūkṣma-śarīra), and they are the sheath of vitality (prāṇamayakośa), the sheath of emotions (''manomayakośa''), and the sheath of ratiocination (''vijñānamayakośa''). The sheath of vitality roughly corresponds to the subjective vitality<ref name=":06">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>.
The innermost layer, the sheath of bliss (''ānandamayakośa''), comprises the “causal body” (''karana śarīra''), and it is experienced by everyone in the state of deep, dreamless sleep (''suṣuptī''), as well as during certain forms of meditation. Dualities and distinctions are not completely destroyed at this level, but they are harmonized so completely that this state is experienced as the one of profound relaxation and bliss (''Ānanda''). The bliss sheath is considered to be blissful because it is free of the agitation of the other sheaths. It is experienced only in states of deep sleep and is composed of our innate tendencies before they become thoughts or actions<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":22">Chinmayananda, S. (2011). Kindle life: The joy of living. Mumbai, IN: Central Chinmaya Mission Trust.</ref>. It is also called “causal body” because it is the ground and cause of all the other sheaths. Finally, this also is peeled away, the pure reality of the center alone remains, absolute non-duality, ineffable, indescribable, Brahman-consciousness, underlying the five sheaths and the three bodies<ref name=":06" />. This is what Vedanta suggests as the highest spiritual goal of human life. Variety and distinctions in paths of yoga can be attributed to their emphasis on different ''Kośas'' of the self<ref name=":06" />.
== Origins ==
== Origins ==
The five sheaths (pancha-koshas) from gross to fine are <ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">http://www.swamij.com/koshas.htm</ref>
The five sheaths (pancha-koshas) from gross to fine are <ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">http://www.swamij.com/koshas.htm</ref>
A human being is given an opportunity to be 'Complete'. A complete person is healthy, talented, sensitive, conscientious and grateful. Such persons fill their world with happiness. If one understands the system called the body of five layers, one can understand the way to be in harmony with the whole universe.
A human being is given an opportunity to be 'Complete'. A complete person is healthy, talented, sensitive, conscientious and grateful. Such persons fill their world with happiness. If one understands the system called the body of five layers, one can understand the way to be in harmony with the whole universe.
== अन्नमय कोश || Annamayakosha ==
== अन्नमयकोशः॥ Annamaya Kosha ==
Anna means food. The outermost of the koshas is called the sheath of food, or Annamaya kosha.<ref name=":1" />
Anna means food. The outermost of the koshas is called the sheath of food, or Annamaya kosha.<ref name=":1" />
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The first sheath is the outermost Jiva-encapsulating gross body which is formed from Anna (pertains to food and not to any particular grain) on which the body subsists. The human being is essentially a modification of the essence of food.
====Taittriya Upanishad====
<blockquote>अन्नात्पुरुषः । स वा एष पुरुषोऽन्नरसमयः । (Tait. Upan. 2.1.1)<ref name=":32">Taittriya Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4% Brahmananda Valli])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>अन्नाद्वै प्रजाः प्रजायन्ते । याः काश्च पृथिवीँ श्रिताः । अथो अन्नेनैव जीवन्ति । अथैनदपि यन्त्यन्ततः ।</blockquote><blockquote>अन्नँ हि भूतानां ज्येष्ठम् । तस्मात् सर्वौषधमुच्यते । सर्वं वै तेऽन्नमाप्नुवन्ति । येऽन्नं ब्रह्मोपासते ।</blockquote><blockquote>अन्नँ हि भूतानां ज्येष्ठम् । तस्मात् सर्वौषधमुच्यते । अन्नाद् भूतानि जायन्ते । जातान्यन्नेन वर्धन्ते ।</blockquote><blockquote>अद्यतेऽत्ति च भूतानि । तस्मादन्नं तदुच्यत इति । (Tait. Upan. 2.1.2)</blockquote>All beings that rest on the earth are verily formed from food (Anna undergoes various transformations in the human body). They sustain on food till the end when they get merged in food. Thus Anna is the foremost form of creatures and is thus a medicine for all (as it a curative that alleviates the bodily discomfort of all). Those who meditate on food as Brahman acquire it. Creatures are born of (a modification) Anna, they grow (another modification) and sustain on Anna. The Vyutpatti Artha of Anna is also mentioned here. Since Anna is Adyate, eaten by creatures and itself Atti, eats, the creatures, it is called Annam. Annam thus stands for the gross manifestation of matter (which is consumed and which consumes).<blockquote>अन्योऽन्तर आत्मा प्राणमयः । तेनैष पूर्णः । (Tait. Upan. 2.1.2)</blockquote>As compared with the body made of the essence of food, described above; there is Anya, a different, Self, which is inside (permeates the Annamaya Kosha) and constituted predominantly of Prana or Vital Air. By this Vital Prana the Self constituted by the essence of food is filled. It should be noted that all the Koshas are referred to (falsely through Avidya) as Self, Ego or I-Factor. Simply put, the Prana fills that shape of Self (constituted by the essence of food) just like an image cast in a crucible or as water takes the shape of the vessel which holds it.<ref>Swami Sharvananda (1921) ''Tattiriya Upanishad, With Sanskrit Text, Paraphrase with word-for-word Literal Translation, English Rendering and Comments.'' Madras: The Ramakrishna Math. (Pages 51 -82)</ref>
====Panchadashi====
In the Panchadashi Annamayakosha is explained further and is distinguished from Atma for the following two reasons.<blockquote>पितृभुक्तान्नजाद्वीर्याज्जातोऽन्नेनैव वर्धते । देहः सोऽन्नमयो नात्मा प्राक्चोर्ध्वं तदभावतः ॥ ३॥</blockquote><blockquote>पूर्वजन्मन्यसत्त्वे तज्जन्म सम्पादयेत्कथम् । भाविजन्मन्यसत्कर्म न भुञ्जीतेह संचितम् ॥ ४॥ (Panchadashi. 3.3-4)<ref name=":42">Panchadashi ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%80/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_-_%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0% Pariccheda 3])</ref></blockquote>The food (Anna) consumed by the mother and father is transformed into virya (seed) from which arises the physical body and is also nourished further by Anna. Thus it is evident that the body is a mere transformation of the food that is eaten and for this reason the Annamaya Deha not the Atman. This body is non-existent both prior to birth and after death, similar to a pot which is said to be non-existent before its creation and ceases to exist after its destruction.
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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.
'''Unfavourable factors:''' Laziness, conflicts, addiction, malnutrition, starvation, disease, accident, unrestricted desires.
'''Unfavourable factors:''' Laziness, conflicts, addiction, malnutrition, starvation, disease, accident, unrestricted desires.
== प्राणमय कोश || Pranamayakosha ==
== प्राणमयकोशः ॥ Pranamaya Kosha ==
The next of the koshas is Pranamaya kosha. Prana means energy. It is the vital force that produces the subtle vibrations related to breath, and which are the driving force behind the physical aspect of the senses and the operation of the physical body. As long as this vital principle exists in the organisms, life continues. The Pranamaya kosha consists of the five vital airs (Prana Vayus) with the five organs of action (Karma Indriyas).
The next of the koshas is Pranamaya kosha. Prana means energy. It is the vital force that produces the subtle vibrations related to breath, and which are the driving force behind the physical aspect of the senses and the operation of the physical body. As long as this vital principle exists in the organisms, life continues. The Pranamaya kosha consists of the five vital airs (Prana Vayus) with the five organs of action (Karma Indriyas).