Post by Amritha Varshini on Mar 9, 2014 11:33:51 GMT 5.5
Tatwa Bodham - Sri Adhi Shankaracharya - Commentary by Sri P.K. Venkatachalam
5. PANCHA KOSAAS - (The five sheaths)
Annamaya: PraaNamaya: Manomaya: Vignaanamaya: Aanandhamayaschethi
Our structure - inner and outer - are consisting of Annamaya (Outer Physical Body), PraaNamaya (Inner PraNasakthi), Manomaya (The Mental), Vignaanamaya (Intellectual) and Aanandhamaya (State of Ignorance).
The three Sareeraas - Sthoola, Sookshma & KaaraNa Sareeraas - are grouped into three Kosaas (Sheaths) thus: Sthoola Sareeram is made up of Annamaya Kosam. Sookshma Sareeram consists of PraaNamaya Kosam, Manomaya Kosam and Vignaanamaya Kosam. KaaraNa Sareeram is formed as Aanandhamaya Kosam.
5.1. Annamaya Kosam :
Annarasenaiva Bhoothvaa Annarasenaiva VrudhDhim Praapya
Anna Roopa PruThivyaam Yadhvileeyathe Thadhannamaya: Kosa:
Sthoola Sareeram.
This Physical Body is born out of food, is grows by food and is merging with the food producing earth (after death). “Maya” refers to Vikaaram or change. As this is based on the changes by food, this is called Annamaya Kosam (also known as Sthoola Sareera). This physical body is stemming out of the food of the parents, it is growing in the womb with the mother's food, on birth it grows with milk and other food and the form with legs, hands, eye, ear, nose, mouth etc. is growing with the flesh, skin, nerves, blood etc., and this is thus subjected to change, growth, decay and total destruction. This physical body is non-existent before birth and after death, but is present only for some time i.e. during the lifetime and is thus not permanent. Its nature is to go on changing every minute.
5.2. PraaNamaya Kosam :
PraaNaaDhyaa: Panchavaayava: Vaagaadheendhriya
Panchakam PraaNamaya: Kosa:
This Kosam consists of five Praanaas (Vaayus) and the five Karmendriyaas. This is known as PraaNamaya Kosa. The function of this is Kriya Sakthi, i.e. the energy enabling us to work. PraaNan, Apaanan, Vyaanan, Udhaanan, Samaanan are the five Praanaas. They help the Karmendriyaas act in the world outside. In our body, from head to toe this PraaNan (life) exists in each Dhathu. Whichever instrument does not get this PraaNan gets decayed and destroyed or becomes disfunctional. These five Praanaas are ever present in our body and they are the basis of PraaNamaya Kosa and is the connector of this Kosa with the Jeeva. Hungry, Thirsty, Clever, Healthy, Physically retarded, Adventurous, good in speech, dumb, blind etc. are the qualities of PraaNamaya Kosam. The PraaNa functions in five different ways in our body:
1. PraaNa Vaayu = Helps breathing - Inhaling and exhaling air
2. Apaana Vaayu = Helps to remove the faeces
3. Vyaana Vaayu = Helps blood circulation
4. Udhaana Vaayu = Shedding tears, vomiting etc. to bring out the filth inside. This works more during the period of death.
5. Samaana Vaayu = Helps digestion.
Though the Physical body, made up of five elements, functions outside, it is made possible by the existence of these five PraaNaas inside of us.
5.3. Manomaya Kosam:
Manascha Gnaanendriya Panchakam Milithwaa
Yo Bhavathi Sa Manomaya: Kosa:
The Mind and the five Gnaanendriyaas (Eye, Ear, Nose, Tongue & Skin) - when they function in the spheres of seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and feeling functions - are forming the Manomaya Kosa. Though these organs are present in the outer body, unless the Mind is turning towards them, they will not be able to function. This is because the field of activity for these Indriyaas is Mind. Without the presence of the mind in these functions Indriyaas cannot do their functions. These Indriyaas are inert and their functions are totally based in the presence of Mind while they function. The Chit (Chaithanyam) functions through the Indriyaas and identifies the sense objects. Also there must be a Witness (SAT) for every action, which is our SELF. Unless Sat and Chit project through these Indriyaas, they will not function. Manas is the bundle of continuous thoughts flowing from outside and is possessing Icchaa Sakthi (The faculty of desire). The false feeling of attachment to these organs by the Jeeva is called EGO, which creates the "I" and "Mine" thoughts. This Ego feels that the Body, Mind and Intellect are itself and, therefore, gets affected by the reactions of the actions of the body. Mind is the medium where thought arises and association with the sense objects take place. Mind receives the stimuli from outside brought by the Gnaanendriyaas and directs the Karmendriyaas to act in a specific manner. Mind is the place where the thought flows in a continuous stream and it is where the desire and attachment takes place.
5.4. Vignaanamaya Kosam:
Buddhi Gnaanendriya Panchakam Milithwaa
Yo Bhavathi Sa Vignaanamaya: Kosa:
Vignaanamaya Kosam is the Kosam where Buddhi and Gnaanendriyaas are joined. All actions are prompted by desires. All desires are decided by Buddhi. The desire arising in Mind is the cause of body movements. The Buddhi is the deciding factor for bringing the desire of the mind into action or not. Therefore Buddhi (the seat of Knowledge) is very sacred. The five Gnaanendriyaas function in the Manomaya Kosam and Vignaanamaya Kosam. The decisions like I am the doer, I am knowledgeable, I am wavering type, I understand everything immediately, I am desireless, I am learned, I am clever etc. etc. are all the work of Vignaanamaya Kosam. This Kosam gets muffled in the Sushupthi Avastha. The Sookshma Sareeram is consisting of these PraaNamaya, Manomaya and Vignaanamaya Kosams.
Commentary by Sri P.K. Venkatachalam (achalam38@gmail.com)