Pancha Kosha Theory
Dr.C.S.Ram
Pancha Kosha Theory
The first text describing them is the Taittiriya
Upanishad, written around the 6th century BCE,
where they are described as lying one inside the other,
like the layers of an onion
There are an infinite number of coverings or sheaths in the human system, the densest
being the physical at the outside, with progressively finer and finer coverings as we
approach the center of our being. They are indicators of the infinite layers of consciousness
we potentially have at our disposal. They are usually presented as five main koshas.
What are Panchakoshas
• The Panchakoshas are listed as follows -
• Annamaya Kosha - The food sheath
• Pranamaya Kosha - The vital energy or breath
sheath
• Manomaya Kosha - The mind sheath
• Vijnanamaya Kosha - The intellect sheath
• Anandamaya Kosha - The bliss sheath
Annamayakosha
• ANNAMAYA KOSHA- It is the outermost layer, the
gross Physical Body, that represents flesh, blood,
muscles and bones. We are most familiar with this
body.
• It is nourished and maintained by ‘Anna’the food we
eat, so called Annamaya or food layer.
• Modern Medicine understands and deals only with
this kosha - the gross body.
• It is said to be the most vulnerable kosha as it
manifests any deficiency in other koshas.
• Hatha yoga asanas, shatkriyas, and our diet help in
developing and strengthening Annamayakosha.
Pranamayakosha
• PRANMAYA KOSHA-Pranamaya Kosha is the Pranic or
life energy body. The word ‘prana’ being the term used
for Pranic energy, which is maintained by breath.
• It is because of the prana that blood circulates, food is
digested, impulses are carried from body to the brain
and back. ‘Prana‘ is the force behind the functioning of
our Karmandriyas- body’s five organs of action - Feet,
hands, vocal chords, urinary and excretory system.
• By regular practice of pranayama , the pranmayakosha
becomes more energetic and efficient, which in turn
energizes the annamayakosha.
Manomayakosha
• MANOMAYA KOSHA- The Mental sheath. It pertains to mind and
its thought process.
• Every fluctuation in the mental body has a chemical reaction in the
physical body and vice- versa. Emotions create chemical
altercations in the brain and affect hormonal secretion.
• A positive mind favorably stimulates the immune system and a
negative attitude depresses it. Positive emotional attitude like
love, happiness, peace and spiritual experiences improve the
process of healing. Whereas negative thoughts and emotions like
anger, hatred, jealousy, greed and violence, reduce body’s
immunity and enhance the chance of damage to health.
• Practice such as pranayama, pratyahara(mental withdrawing of the
senses) are very efficient. Yoganidra also helps in penetrating
through the Manomayakosha and gives it a direction.
Vigyanmayakosha
• VIJYANMAYA KOSHA: It is the Wisdom layer, the sheath of the
INTELLECT.’Vijnana’ means Wisdom or subtle knowledge.
• It is higher intelligence that contains in itself -knowledge, power of
discrimination,intuition, conscience and will.One who understands the
functioning of this kosha or body, modulates his thoughts and actions
accordingly, faces the reality of life, keeps himself away from illusions,
worldly temptations and attachments, gives up all negative qualities, sheds
ego. Such a person achieves the highest state of wisdom.
•
• Practice such as ‘Dharana’( mental focus on an object ) and ‘Dhyana’ (
meditation on the divine )are steps that help us to gradually move towards
this higher level of consciousness.
• ‘Jnana’ yoga, study of spiritual texts also nourishes the intellect and helps
in developing this kosha. This knowledge helps us in finding our true
nature and in our understanding of the world around us.
Anandamayakosha
• ANANDAMAYA KOSHA - ’Ananda’ is a sanskrit word
which means Joy , Bliss. This is the most subtle layer.
• It is the core of our being. This kosha is our true
nature, which has goodness, contentment, peace and
love that expands beyond any mental constraints.
• Meditation helps us to achieve a state of bliss. Step by
step practice of Patanjali’s eight fold yoga and
meditation help in connecting us to this layer and in
achieving the state of ‘Ananda’.
• A combination of Raja yoga, Bhakti yoga, Karma yoga
and Jnana yoga enhances our experience of Blissful
self.
All koshas should be in good condition
• For holistic health all these five sheaths of
our body are to be kept in good condition.
• Disturbance in one affects the other because
these five sheaths function in coordination
with each other to form an integral whole.
• It is important to awaken and strengthen
these koshas.
References
• Infinite Layers of Consciousness
https://www.heartfulnessmagazine.com/infini
te-layers-of-consciousness. Article by Kamlesh
D Patel.
• Ram Chandra, 2014. Efficacy of Raja Yoga in
the Light of Sahaj Marg. Shri Ram Chandra
Mission, India
