Three Bodies, Five Sheaths

Yoga Philosophy

The Upanishads define humans as a combination of five different layers or three different bodies. The Yoga system classifies three apparent vehicles of the soul in its journey towards perfection. Whereas, the five layers of Prakriti cover our Real Self (the ‘Purusha’ in Yoga, ‘Atma’ in Vedanta). Those five Sheaths are also called ‘Pancha-Kosha’. The vibration level and speed of each Kosha is different, they also overlap and interact with each other and the level ranges from gross to transcendental dimensions. The three bodies contain the five sheaths.

The Physical Body

Is gross and known as ‘sthula sarira’. It contains the ANNAMAYA KOSHA or the food sheath: It is the Kosha of matter or basically the physical vehicle- It is composed of the five elements (water, fire, earth, air and ether). To balance this Kosha one needs to have a proper diet, do Asanas, etc.. Existence, birth, growth, change, decay and death are its qualifications.

The Astral Body

Has three of the five Sheaths. It has also the name ‘linga sarita’ and is the means of experiencing pleasure and pain. The second Kosha is PRANAMAYA KOSHA which is the layer of vitality, life force and energy channels. It is composed of five vital energies and can be overcome by practising Pranamaya. The five vital energies or ‘Panacha Prana Vayu’ enable the body and its organs to function and are responsible for the entire physiology of the human system. These five Pranas are closely linkes with our physical body. The source of the ‘Pancha Prana’ is ‘Maha Prana’ which is the cosmic energy and is manifested in each of us as the ‘Kundalini Shakti’. Those five Prana energies are:

PRANA

It is the main Prana and functions between the throat and the diaphragm. The basic function of respiration and pumping of the heart is controlled by Prana. Prana can be thought of as moving upwards in the body and stands for emotions.

APANA

Apana is primarily responsible for elimination. It controls organs situated between the naval and the perineum. It flows downwards and stimulates the downward movement of waste products in our body.

SAMANA

Samana operates between the naval and the diaphragm. It is responsible for digestion and assimilation of nutrients into the body. Samana Vayu travels sideways. It is linked to the Solar plexus Chakra.

UDANA

Udana Vayu functions above the throat, face and head region. It is responsible for all the sensory organs and functions of the brain. It controls the organs of movement, including hands and legs. Therefore, its movement travels from the throat Chakra down to the hands, legs and in the head.

VYANA

Vyana is the Prana energy which pervades the entire body. It carries the nutrients needed to every cell of the body. It also helps the muscular movements and carrying the sensory motor impulses from different parts of the body.

The third sheath or Kosha is called MANOMAYA KOSHA and it is the mental layer. In the astral body, thinking, doubting, anger, lust, exhilaration, depression, delusion are its workings. It is made out of: Mana (the mind), Chitta (the subconscious mind) and the five sense organs of knowledge, also called the five subtle elements. To overcome this sheath one must do selfless service. The last sheath in the Astral body is the intellectual layer of VIJNANAMAYA KOSHA. It consists of the Buddha (the intellect), which analyses the true nature of any object, and the Ego. Its functions are discrimination and decision-making. One can use the intellect for materialism or higher knowledge. Through meditation and spiritual study one can overcome this sheath.

The Causal Body

Is the third body and contains the Blissful sheath, so called the ANANDAMAYA KOSHA. In this layer one experiences bliss, joy, calmness and peace. Yoga philosophy teaches that the Real Self is not any of this bodies. Only by reaching Samadhi one can leave the Anandamaya Kosha behind. To attain liberation one must stop identifying with all sheaths. The Koshas provide a better understanding of our psychological and spiritual development.