What are the Pancha Kosha and Pancha Bhutas?

Pancha Koshas: Five Sheaths

Here is a small example. Our body is made up of the five sheaths. The first is Annamaya Kosha (organic sheath), the second Pranamaya Kosha (life sheath), the third the Manomaya Kosha (mental sheath) the fourth Vijnanamaya Kosha (knowledge sheath) and the fifth Anandamaya Kosha (bliss sheath). This composition of the five sheaths is common to all human beings in all parts of the globe. You cannot argue that only Indians are created this way and not other nationals! What exactly is Annamaya Kosha? This body is formed out of food (organic material), lives on food and deteriorates with food. It undergoes the six stages of growth through food. Thus, the body by itself is Annamaya sheath. Next is Pranamaya sheath, which consists of five organs of action and the five life breaths. Manomaya Kosha is but the nature of mind, projected in the five organs of action, the five senses of perception and the thought process. The intelligence behind sound, touch, sight, taste and smell is Vijnanamaya Kosha. Finally we have the Anandamaya sheath. There are three levels of Ananda. They are Priyam, Modam and Pramodam. Priyam is the pleasantness on thinking or hearing about something we like. Modam is the happiness that is felt when we acquire or come in contact with the things we like. Pramodam is the ecstasy, the real happiness that we experience when we actually enjoy the object of our liking. Say, something reminds you of a fruit that you like. You experience some amount of joy. The cause of such joy is the affection you have on that particular thing or person. This is what we call Priyam. When you spot the fruit in the market during your visit, you feel greater joy (Modam). Finally when you relish the fruit, it gives the greatest joy (Pramodam). Similarly, the thrill you experience by knowing God’s powers - the manifestation of His Divinity and His Divine love from scriptures and epics is called Priyam. When you put it into practice what you heard, you derive the happiness of Modam. The ecstasy you experience when you are in union with God is the everlasting state of joy and bliss; that is Pramodam.  Thus, listening about God, putting it into practice and feeling and experiencing what was practiced - these are the levels of Priyam, Modam and Pramodam. So the fifth one is the Anandamaya sheath. 

Why are these called Kosha or sheath?  A scabbard is a sheath for sword. Rice is sheathed in husk. A tamarind seed is sheathed by tamarind pulp, which in turn is sheathed by the outer shell of the fruit. Similarly, foetus is sheathed within the womb of the mother. Thus, when one thing covers another and hides the identity of the latter, it is called a sheath. So Annamaya Kosha is a sheath that covers up the Pranamaya Kosha. Inside the Pranamaya Kosha is Manomaya Kosha. Manomaya Kosha further hides the Vijnanamaya Kosha within it. Vijnanamaya itself is a sheath that has Anandamaya as its kernel. Within this Anandamaya Kosha resides the Atma- the soul. Thus, so many sheaths cover the Atma and this structure applies to all humans of all countries. There is no exception. So, all beings have equal right and opportunity to seek the soul within them. But then, one has to feel an urge to do so. This urge to attain and experience Atmic status is born within all, automatically. 

Pancha Bhutas in the Human Body

There are also the five elements. Akasha (the space), Vayu (the air), Agni (the fire), Jal (the water) and Bhumi, (the earth). We must identify as to how the components or limbs of a human being originate from each of the elements. All the five elements are in the human form. From the element of space are born emotions, prejudices, apprehensions, shyness and the like which are found in man. The element of air causes within the body, the reflexes and movements like walking, shaking, shivering, respiration and so on. What does fire give rise to? Hunger, thirst, sleep and fear- all these are aspects of fire. What about water? Mucus, urine, blood and the like are emanated from the elements of water. Finally, the element of earth - skin, muscles, veins, bones, nails and hair are all manifestations of earth. Thus in every human being, the aspects of space, air, fire, water and earth are in symbiosis. When you see from this point of view, who can authoritatively argue, ‘this is mine, and that is yours’, ‘I am greater and you are lesser’ and so on. If someone talks such a language he can safely be branded as dull-headed, for they are the ones who are unable to see the reality. If only they have a deeper understanding, they will certainly be able to comprehend this truth.  We should not be bogged down by the prevailing times and circumstances. That amounts to leading a narrow life. We should develop the expanding way of life. We should tread the path that is holy, eternal and ever new. 

Source: The Universal Religion, Discourse 16, My Dear Students Volume 2; Divine Discourse delivered on July 23, 1989 at Prasanthi Nilayam