Concept of sheath in Hinduism
This article is about the covering. For other uses, see Kosha (disambiguation).
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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:
- Annamaya kosha, "food" sheath (Anna),[2] the physical body;
- Pranamaya kosha, "energy" sheath (Prana),[2] the vital principle;
- Manomaya kosha "mind" sheath (Manas),[2] the mind and the five senses;
- Vijñānamaya kosha, "discernment" or "Knowledge" sheath (Vigynana)[2]
- Anandamaya kosha, "bliss" sheath (Ananda)[2]
- ^ David Frawley, Yoga and the Sacred Fire: Self-Realization and Planetary Transformation, p.288
- ^ a b c d e f Mallinson & Singleton 2017, p. 184.
- ^ 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.