What is Pancha Kosha?
The term “ Pancha Kosha” is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘pancha,’meaning "five" and kosha meaning "sheath".( Layer)
The concept of Pancha Kosha originated
from Taittiriya Upanishad, which is a Vedic era Sanskrit text , embedded within the Yajurveda ‘ Pancha Kosha’ is thought to be one of the earliest perception of the nature of the human being.
Pancha kosha refers to the concept, that there are five layers of awareness through which all experience is filtered. At the center of these five layers is Atman, otherwise known as the True Self . According to Upanishads, human nature or Prakriti comprises of five different dimensions.
Each of five separate energy sheaths, or Koshas, which surrounds Jivatman, makes up an individual human. Since these layers encompass all aspects of existence, from gross to transcendental dimensions, each Kosha vibrates at a different pace, and they interact and overlap with one another.
Pancha Kosha provides a model through which physical, psychological and energetic imbalances can be addressed.
The five sheaths of Pancha Kosha are:
- Annamaya Kosha (the food sheath) – the outermost kosha, referring to the physical body which needs food and nourishment to thrive.
- Pranamaya Kosha (the sheath of vital life force energy) is closely connected with annamaya kosha. Pranamaya kosha is composed of prana (life force energy) and is greatly influenced by pranayama (breathwork).
- Manomaya Kosha (the mental or psychological sheath) – refers to the aspect of the mind which governs perception of the world.
- Vijnanamaya Kosha (the intellect sheath) – this sheath is the seat of intuition, connected to inner wisdom and deeper states of consciousness. It is also responsible for inner growth and is impacted by all aspects of yoga.
- Anandamaya Kosha (the bliss sheath) is otherwise known as the bliss body. This kosha is the closest to ‘atman’. It transcends the logical, thinking mind, providing an experience of unity with universal consciousness.
A person’s Well Being is said to arise when all five sheaths are integrated and balanced. It is a state in which the veil of maya (illusion)is lifted and the ‘ Atman’ becomes one with ‘Brahman ‘( Universal Consciousness).
Yoga therapy uses the ‘ Kosha ‘model as a diagnostic tool. As such, an individual can be viewed holistically rather than through a more traditional one-dimensional approach to treatment.