Our individual existence has been the subject of a comprehensive analysis in the ancient times. Based on this extensive study, an inference was reached that each living body, consists of 5 different layers or forms. The body though at first glance appears as one gross-unit, it could be classified into distinct layers or sheaths, having its own distinct characteristics. These were thus classified into 5 parts, starting from the outermost gross and tangible layer to progressively subtler layers, all of which interact with each other to give a complete all-encompassing ‘LIFE’ experience. These layers or sheaths were called as the ‘Pancha-Kosas’ or five layers of our existence.
These are as below:
- Annamaya Kosa, The outer gross body, tangible and visible to everyone
- Pranamaya Kosa, The second level, responsible for all the biological activities
- Manonmaya Kosa, The mental faculty responsible for thoughts, feelings and emotions
- Vignyanamaya Kosa, The subtle inner intellectual layer
- Anandamaya Kosa, The innermost layer and the soul or the causal body, or the very cause of our existence
Annamaya Kosa: This is the outer gross body, which is tangible and visible to everyone. This sheath is the easiest to recognize because it is visible and forms our “identity”.
The outer layer primarily consists of the five organs of perception, viz. ‘Gnyanendriyas‘ or Gnyana-indriyas, viz. the input senses that help us to perceive the outer world viz. the Eyes (Sight), Nose (Smell), Skin (Touch), Ear (Hearing) and Tongue (Taste).
Based on our senses, we react and our output or activities in the world outside are carried out by the five ‘Karmendriyas‘ (‘Karma-Indriyas‘) or the organs of action, viz. Hands (Organ of creative action), Legs (Organ of Motion), Mouth (Speech), Organs for Excretion, and the Genital / Reproductive organs.
The Annamaya Kosa along with its five karma-indriyas and gnyana-indriyas collectively form our gross body helping us to react and live in the outer world. It is called the Annamaya (food-sheath) since it arises from food and is kept alive by consumption of food
Pranamaya Kosa: The Pranamaya Kosa is the subsequent layer or sheath responsible for all the vital life functions and activities of the body. It carries out all the important physiological functions necessary to keep the gross body alive and active.
- Prana – The set of activities responsible for all that we intake, and includes food we eat, our breathing / respiration, the heart & the perceptions from the outside world
- Apaana – The activities responsible for excretion of all waste from the body
- Samaana – The activities responsible for digestion and assimilation of food
- Vyaana – The set of activities responsible for the circulation of the vital nutrients to all parts of the body
- Udaana – The set of activities responsible for the effective utilization of the energy into thoughts and actions
The Pancha Pranas are subtler than the outer physical body, since these activities cannot be directly seen or visualized but can be conceived from the effects that they have on our body. They are fed by the Annamaya-kosha, through the food we eat and in turn affects the next layer by way of thoughts, feeling and emotions
The Pancha-Pranas are usually invoked during the “Naivedya”, the offerings to God, or before starting a meal. The prayer before meal is recited by mentioning the Pancha-Pranas (Pranaya-svaaha; Apaanaya-svaaha, Samaanaya-svaaha…) and it is to ensure the food we eat is digested, assimilated, circulated and excreted out properly and leads us to elevated thoughts and emotions.
Manonmaya Kosa: This is the next layer and as the name suggests controls the mental faculty and gives rise to our thoughts, feelings and emotions. They are subtle and can be only felt by the way we react and express our emotions and cannot be seen. They are fed and activated by the Pancha Pranas.
Vignyanamaya Kosa, The more subtle inner intellectual layer and which gives us the sense of direction, or ‘Dharma’. We are capable to make decisions, judge between right or wrong, the moral or immoral, ethical or otherwise due to this layer. In other words, our innermost character is decided by this sheath. It is fed by our thoughts and feelings. Thus having the right thoughts and emotions lead to having a righteous life
Anandamaya Kosa: The innermost layer and the soul or the causal body, or the very cause of our existence. It is rightly called Anandamaya, since it is free of all worldly attachments and is in complete bliss at all times. When we realise this innermost soul, we are led towards Moksha, the path towards liberation.
Excellent , complicated subject explained simply .