The five sheathsThe
three bodies mentioned above are grouped in another manner to form five
sheaths or Kos’as. These
are—annamayakos’a,
praaNamayakos’a, manomayakos’a, vijnaanamayakos’a and aanandamayakos’a.
These are described in taitt.up. Ch.2. annamayakos’a or the Food-sheath-- This is the same as the gross
body. See Viveka chuuDaamaNi, verses 156 to 158 for a description. praaNamayakos’a-- The
five praaNas, together with the five organs of action, form this. See
Viveka chuuDaamaNi, verses 167 and 168. manomayakos’a—This is made up of the mind and the five sense-
organs. See Viveka chuuDaamaNi, verses 169 onwards. vijnaanamayakos’a---The buddhi
(intellect) and the five sense-organs constitute this. See Viveka
chuuDaamaNi, verses 186 onwards. The
praaNamayakos’a, manomayakos’a
and vijnaanamayakos’a together
make up the subtle body. aanandamayakos’a---See Viveka chuuDaamaNi, verses 209 and 210. This
sheath is the modification of avidyaa
and appears as a reflection of the aatmaa
which is Pure Bliss. It is fully manifested in dreamless sleep. In
the waking and dream states it is experienced a little due to the
presence of desired objects. In Brahma suutra 1.1.12 to 19 the
contention of some schools that this sheath is Brahman is refuted with
detailed reasons and it is established that this sheath is also
non-self. This sheath is the same as the kaaraNa s’ariira. Back to contents
|