~ Dr. Naina Amritha
Are human beings really covered by five sheaths? 🤔
According to the Taittiriya Upanishad, our true essence is covered by five sheaths — just as a scabbard encloses the blade of a sword or a fruit seed is covered by multiple layers. The Self (Atman) is hidden behind the mask of personality.
These five sheaths, known as the Pancha Koshas, surround the individual sequentially, forming a multidimensional biofield. They are related to the universal elements — Akasha (space), Vayu (air), Agni (fire), Jala (water), and Prithvi (earth).
Together, they offer a profound map connecting individual consciousness with the universal energy field.
When we look at health through the lens of Panchakosha theory, we understand the human body not merely as a physical structure, but as an energy system with multiple interrelated layers. Most imbalances do not originate solely in the physical body — they begin in the subtler sheaths and later manifest physically.
What Are Koshas?
The word Kosha in Sanskrit means “sheath” or “covering.”
The koshas are five layers encasing Pure Consciousness (Purusha) or the Self (Atman).
They are:
•Annamaya Kosha – The Food Sheath
•Pranamaya Kosha – The Vital Energy Sheath
•Manomaya Kosha – The Mental Sheath
•Vijnanamaya Kosha – The Wisdom Sheath
•Anandamaya Kosha – The Bliss Sheath
These five koshas act as a roadmap for self-discovery. By understanding and working through each layer, we move toward greater awareness and self-realization.
The Five Koshas Explained
1. Annamaya Kosha – The Physical Body
“Anna” means food.
This is the outermost layer — the physical body made of matter. It includes the skin, bones, muscles, organs, and tissues.
It governs:
Nutrition Growth Survival needs (food, water, shelter)
Through the Annamaya Kosha, we experience and interact with the physical world.
2. Pranamaya Kosha – The Energy Body
This is the sheath of Prana (life force energy).
It consists of the five major pranas that regulate vital bodily functions such as:
Breathing Digestion Circulation Elimination
Pranamaya Kosha bridges the physical body and the mind.
3. Manomaya Kosha – The Mental Body
“Manas” means mind.
This sheath includes:
Thoughts Emotions Feelings Memory Imagination
It governs perception, processing of experiences, and emotional responses. Many psychosomatic disorders originate at this level.
4. Vijnanamaya Kosha – The Wisdom Body
This layer represents:
Intellect Discernment Intuition Inner wisdom
It is responsible for decision-making and deeper understanding. Spiritual growth begins to unfold strongly at this level, as we start recognizing our inner truth.
5. Anandamaya Kosha – The Bliss Body
“Ananda” means bliss.
This is the subtlest sheath, closest to the Self. It is the level of pure joy, love, and spiritual contentment.
At this level, we experience:
Deep inner peace Unity with existence Spiritual fulfillment
The Three Bodies and the Five Koshas
The koshas correspond to the three bodies:
Physical Body (Sthula Sharira) Subtle/Astral Body (Sukshma Sharira) Causal/Spiritual Body (Karana Sharira)
Understanding and transcending the five koshas within these three bodies is a journey toward realizing our true nature.
This process demands years of awareness, practice, and dedication. But by gradually peeling away these layers of illusion, one can move closer to self-realization and experience a deeper state of consciousness.
Panchakosha and Ayurveda
Ayurveda recognizes that disease does not begin only at the physical level. Imbalances may originate in:
Improper thoughts (Manomaya) Disturbed prana (Pranamaya) Lack of clarity or wisdom (Vijnanamaya)
When we address health holistically — through diet, breath, meditation, emotional balance, and spiritual awareness — we heal at all five layers.
True healing happens when harmony is restored across all koshas.
By
Dr. Naina Amritha
Founder of Amritha Ayurveda Wellness
Shivamogga
