Living organism denotes the complexity of hidden elements, the science which is beyond science. Just by stating a body is energized with soul does not give clarity to great thinkers, quest or call it as a curiosity to attain complete knowledge about integration and functionality has made most of the researchers scratch their heads. According to Brahmanandavalli Chapter of Taittiriya Upanishad is a part of the Taittiriya Samhita of the Krishna Yajur Veda had defined Panchakoshas which coverup Atman. The Tvam (“Thou”) padartha of the Mahavakya ‘Tat Tvam Asi’ is determined by the analysis of Panchakoshas that are not the Atman. It might be just Another Little Thing added to the knowledge base for most of the readers, these Panchakoshas (the word is derived from Sanskrit Pancha, meaning “five,” and kosha meaning “sheath.”) reside in different part of the body. the body is been divided into three parts,
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- Gross Body (Sthula Sharira): the physical body.
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- Subtle or Astral body or Linga Sharira: is the vital energy field, mental and intellectual state.
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- Causal body or Karana Sharira: the portal to entering higher consciousness. It connects both the individual and cosmic consciousness together and is believed to store information from past lives. Sthul Sharir is controlled by Astral body is also known as Prana or the vital air and both of these are controlled by Casual body
The physical sheath is the Gross body; the sheath of prana (the vital air) is in the Astral body. Astral body comprises of Pranamaya Kosha(sheath of prana), the Manomaya Kosha (sheath of mind), and the Vigyanmaya Kosha (sheath of intellect). Anandmaya Kosh (sheath of bliss) resides in the Causal body (Karana Sharira). These sheaths are located one inside the other with the sheath of the physical body being the outermost and the sheath of bliss being the innermost. Karana Sharira or Causal body is the pattern which is the sole cause for the gross and subtle bodies Being detached while remaining involved with the daily chores and emotions is the eternal bliss and achievable with Ashtanga Yoga of Patanjali, Buddhist Vipassana or Integral Yoga of Maharshi Aurobindo, etc.
In simple terms if these sheaths need to be described, it would mean;
1) Annamaya kosha – As the name suggests Anna means food, the sheath which requires food for its nourishment. The common names we give to this layer are mass of skin, flesh, fat, bones, and filth. Birth and death are the attributes of the Annamaya kosha.
2) Pranamaya kosha – As the name suggests Prana, the vital principle the force which holds the body and mind together, the physical manifestation is breath.
3) Manomaya kosha – This is the mind that governs observation of the world and it is where one’s sense of Self progresses, along with the way it performs. Yoga Nidra transcends the two outer koshas to allow the Manomaya kosha to be penetrated.
4) Vijnanamaya kosha – This is the conscious sheath and intellect which governs one’s sense of ethics and morals. It is also responsible for inner growth and the acquisition of knowledge, which can occur through studies of sacred texts.
5) Anandamaya kosha – This is the most subtle body and is generally only perceived in brief flashes of bliss. It is where we experience unity with the universal Consciousness. This experience can only be realized when consciousness is expanded deeper than the material world.
Questions would arise like,
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- · What’s the use of acquiring information about the Panchakoshas?
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- · What is the difference is it going to make in my day to day life?
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- · Many would step back stating we are not planning to leave the family and friends, to become Sadhu.
It’s very simple, the way we go to sleep and ease off the fatigue, similarly, Meditation leads to cleansing;
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- Relaxes and revitalizes your body
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- Calms your mind, in turn, increases your efficiency
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- Increases attentiveness and clarity resulting in better communication
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- Upsurges creativity and awareness
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- Makes you aware of all the stages of existence
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- Expands your consciousness and takes you to a space of ecstasy.
A never-ending quest to achieve happiness, the sense of fulfillment and peace that most of us are looking for and getting indulged in all different aspects are just leading to misery. Being materialistic and pretending to be happy is killing the joy, just remember whatever has a beginning will definitely have an end. Seeking happiness would just push you to climb the ladder, curiosity to step ahead and achieve more to gain happiness, but the final outcome would be sorrow. Take an example of earning money, accumulation of wealth, making your body beautiful, striving hard for a promotion, seeking happiness in another person and many more, lead to a vicious cycle of attaining more and resolving the outcome or problem, but in this essence of bliss stays missing.
Instead start your journey to your inner self ‘Atman’ by uncovering the five sheaths, reaching Bliss. Thereafter no one can take away your pleasure, as it not caused by something outside, but inside, within yourself.
Covered with Panchakoshas lies your Inner self ‘Atman’, which is ‘Anantam’, supreme energy that lies within, the reason we breathe and live. According to Sruti, human birth is divine grace, meant for a constant journey to realize Atman, leading to Jeevanmukti/Moksha/Spiritual Liberation, resulting in complete eradication of sorrow. The Karma we perform, rituals that we follow, studies of Shastra does not lead to knowledge about the unity of Atman.
Hence the Shiva Samhita (I.62) states:
“Having abandoned the perception of false states [of consciousness], the renouncer of all volition certainly beholds the Self [the object] in the Self [the subject] by the Self [the means of the revelation].”
- The Mundaka Upanishad is more explicit and poetic: “Like two birds perched on the same tree, intimate friends, the ego and the self, dwell in the same body. The former eats the sweet and sour fruits of life, while the latter looks on with detachment.”
- The Katha Upanishad explains the relative status of the two selves in this manner:
- “There are two selves, the separate ego and the indivisible Atman. When one rises above I, me, and mine, the Atman reveals Itself as the real Self.”
- The Bhagavad Gita offers us inspiring thoughts about Atman:
8:3 …Principle, eternal nature (of all beings) is Atman…
6:7 He who attained Atman obtains the whole world for he finds refuge in the Divine Consciousness, when (his body) finds itself either in cold or heat, happiness or grief, honor, or dishonor.
5:17 He who perceives himself as consciousness, who identifies himself with Atman, whose faith is wholly on the Supreme, who takes refuge only in Him – that one approaches Liberation being purified by Wisdom.
Conclusion
The conclusion is self-realization, rather than running for knowledge about the outside world, one should understand ‘Self’. Try and approach the indestructible happiness, live with peace, spread love, and always smile. The world would be a better place to live in, craving for the materialistic world definitely fulfill your needs but not the ultimate goal of your life. Just remember today is what we live, past is gone and future is an assumption, live your life with ultimate Bliss.