Panchkosa & Karmic Cycle

- Kirti Tarang

Panchkosa is an important concept in the Philosophy of Yoga. It's the basic grammar of the language of Yoga. So, here's the story behind this concept (and its simplest explanation):

This story is from the third valli (chapter) of Taittiriya Upnishad:

Once shishya (student) Bhrgu went to his father & Guru Varun & said,

“Teach me what’s Brahman- the most fundamental fabric of the Universe”

The father said, 

“sa tapo tapyata, sa tapas taptva” (Go meditate, observe austerity of thoughts).

So Bhrgu went into tapasya and came back with the answer:

Annam brahmeti vyajanat(Matter is Brahman)

For everything in this universe is made out of matter, we live by matter & this body dissolves into matter.

The father’s reply was the same, “sa tapo tapyata, sa tapas taptva”

So Bhrgu meditated & this time he came up with;

Prano brahmeti vyajanat(Pran, the life-force is Brahman)

The father’s response remained unchanged.

Bhrgu meditated again & then said,

Mano brahmeti vyajanat(Mind is Brahman)

Once again the father wasn’t much impressed.

So, Bhrgu meditated again & came up with;

Vijnanam Brahmeti Vyajanat(Intelligence is Brahman)

Father said that you’re close but not there yet.

So Bhrgu gave it another try. He meditated & observed the austerity of thoughts. This time he didn’t return to his father, for he found the answer:

Anando brahmeti vyajnat(Brahman is bliss)

Brahman is made of five sheaths (kosas) of existence:

1.  Annamaya Kosa- the gross body

2.   Pranamaya Kosa- the pranic energy

3.  Mamonaya Kosa- Mind, a conglomeration of perception, memory, emotions & thoughts.

4.  Vijnanamaya Kosa- Seat of our Intellect

5.  Anadamaya Kosa- The Ultimate Reality

Amongst these, the first Kosa, Annamaya is the grossest while the fifth Kosa, Anandmaya is the subtlest.

That's the theory of Panchkosa. It not only forms the basis of Yogic spirituality but of Ayurveda (holistic Indian method of healing) too.

I feel Panchkosa is important, because the journey to Anandmaya Kosa is the easiest way to break free from the cycle of Karma (especially the negative ones)

HOW?

The answer is simple: The positive & negative Karmas accumulated through the actions of past live in the first four sheaths of our existence. The Anandmaya Kosa is free from effect of Karma.

In the words of an ancient Indian sage (whose name I can’t recollect at this point), Anandmaya Kosa is 

neti neti neti- nothing, nothing, and nothing. 

It’s a state of pure bliss & vacuum- a state of total silence.

All we have to do is reach this stage & we are free from the trappings of Karma.

If you want to know how to get there,

Read here to know more :)