Kosha


A kosha (also kosa; Sanskrit कोश, IAST: kośa), usually rendered "sheath", is a covering of the Atman, or Self according to Vedantic philosophy. The five sheaths, summarised with the term Panchakosha, are described in the Taittiriya Upanishad (2.1-5),[1][2] and they are often visualised as the layers of an onion.[3] From gross to fine they are:

  1. Annamaya kosha, "food" sheath (Anna),[2] the physical body;
  2. Pranamaya kosha, "energy" sheath (Prana),[2] the vital principle;
  3. Manomaya kosha "mind" sheath (Manas),[2] the mind and the five senses;
  4. Vijñānamaya kosha, "discernment" or "Knowledge" sheath (Vigynana)[2]
  5. Anandamaya kosha, "bliss" sheath (Ananda)[2]
  1. ^ David Frawley, Yoga and the Sacred Fire: Self-Realization and Planetary Transformation, p.288
  2. ^ a b c d e f Mallinson & Singleton 2017, p. 184.
  3. ^ Roeser, Robert W. (2005). An introduction to Hindu India's contemplative psychological perspective on motivation, self, and development (pdf ed.). p. 15. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.582.4733.