Pancha Koshas

According to Ayurveda, there are five distinct sheaths or koshas.

• The food sheath or annamaya kosha
• The vital sheath or pranamaya kosha
• The mental sheath or manomaya kosha
• The intellectual sheath or vignanamaya kosha
• The bliss sheath or anandamaya kosha

Before we go into details of each kosha, it is important to understand the idea of “subtlety.” The more pervasive something is, the subtler it is considered in Ayurveda.

1. Food sheath – Annamaya Kosha

This is the physical body we are aware of during the waking state. It is nourished and sustained by food.

2. Vital air sheath – Pranamaya Kosha

The sheath made of prana (vital energy). It controls movement and governs all organs of action.

3. Mental sheath – Manomaya Kosha

The mind entertains emotions, desires, fears, and thoughts. It is subtler than the physical body and prana.

4. Intellectual sheath – Vignanamaya Kosha

The seat of intellect and decision-making. Subtler than the mind due to its deeper perception.

5. Bliss sheath – Anandamaya Kosha

The deepest sheath, associated with pure joy and bliss. Experienced in deep states of meditation.