Changes

==Origins==

==Origins==

The five sheaths (pancha-kosas) from gross to fine are<ref>https://vedanet.com/2012/06/13/secrets-of-the-five-pranas/</ref> <ref name=":0" />

The five sheaths (pancha-kosas) from gross to fine are<ref name=":1">http://www.swamij.com/koshas.htm</ref> <ref name=":0" />

* Annamaya kosha – food – physical – the five elements

* Annamaya kosha – food – physical – the five elements

* Pranamaya kosha – breath – vital – The five Karma Indriyas are contained in the Pranamaya Kosha.

* Pranamaya kosha – breath – vital – The five Karma Indriyas are contained in the Pranamaya Kosha.

=== Annamaya kosha ===

=== Annamaya kosha ===

Anna means food. The outermost of the koshas is called the sheath of food, or Annamaya kosha. Annamaya Kosha is this gross body. This is the densest sheath. The body is nourished by food. It dies without food. It is subject to six changes (Shad-bhava-vikara, viz., birth, existence, growth, change, decay and death).

Anna means food. The outermost of the koshas is called the sheath of food, or Annamaya kosha.<ref name=":1" /> 

Atman is entirely distinct from the Annamaya sheath or physical body. It does not exist prior to birth or posterior to death. It is the combination of five elements. Swami Sivananda says: The mutual illusory relationship that exists between Atman and Annamaya Kosha can be clearly understood from the daily talks of men. People say: I am a man. I am a male. I live. I grow. I shall die. I am a boy. I am a grown up man. I am an old man. I am a Brahmin. I am a Kshatriya. I am a Vaishya. I am a Sudra. I am a Brahmachari. I am a householder. I am a Sannyasi. I am an Indian. I am an Englishman. I am a Pundit. I am an illiterate man. I am sick. I am poor. I am fat. I am lean. I am sickly. I am healthy. Here all the properties of Annamaya sheath are ascribed by delusion to Atman. The characteristics of Satchidananda are attributed falsely to the Annamaya Kosha as you see from such illustration: My body is. My body shines. My body is dear. You can clearly understand now that there exists a mutual illusory relationship between Atman and the Annamaya Kosha. Therefore the Atman is not Annamaya Kosha. This food-sheath is not yours. This is gross body. You are the Self. The Self is distinct from the food-sheath, because it is the Knower of the sheath.

Annamaya Kosha is this gross body. This is the densest sheath. The body is nourished by food. It dies without food. It is subject to six changes (Shad-bhava-vikara, viz., birth, existence, growth, change, decay and death).<ref name=":0" />

During meditation, we become aware of Annamaya kosha, explore it, and then go inward, to and through the other koshas.

 

During meditation, we become aware of Annamaya kosha, explore it, and then go inward, to and through the other koshas.<ref name=":1" />

=== Pranamaya kosha ===

=== Pranamaya kosha ===