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Pancha-Kosha

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Kosha, often translated as "sheath", is a covering of the Atman, or "self" according to Vedantic philosophy.

 

The five sheaths (Pancha-Kosha) are described in the Taittiriya Upanishad (2.1-5), and they are often visualised as the layers of an onion:

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  1. Annamaya-Kosha: "Food" sheath -The physical body.

  2. Pranamaya-Koshaa: "Energy" sheath - Prana, Shakti, Nadi, Chakra, Aura (Bio-electromagnetic field).

  3. Manomaya-Kosha: "Mind" sheath - The thinking mind, emotions, likes & dislikes, agitation & phobia.

  4. Vijnanamaya-Kosha: "Knowledge" sheath - Conscience, wisdom, discernment, intellect.

  5. Anandamaya-Kosha: "Bliss" sheath - Pure consciousness/awareness, connection with the universe.

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Traya-Sarira

 

The Pancha-Kosha are further classified as Traya-Sarira (Three Bodies):

  1. Sthula-Sarira: The gross body, made up of physical matter, consists of Annamaya Kosha.

  2. Suksma-Sarira: The astral body, consists of Pranamaya Kosha, Manomaya Kosha and Vijnanamaya Kosha.

  3. Karana-Sarira: The causal body, consists of Ananadamaya Kosha.

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Thus, the Pancha-Kosha/Traya-Sarira basically consistutes what we know as the "self".

  1. Physical Form

  2. Mental-Emotional Energies

  3. Karmic Energies (The Hidden Consciousness, aka The Sub-consciousness)

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