Bhagwad Gita says (III/42), Subtler to the Body are the Senses; subtler to the Senses is the Mind; subtler to the Mind is the Intellect; and who is even subtler to the Intellect is He (the Atman).

Human being is composed of three bodies (shariras) –  1) Gross Body (or Sthool Sharira), 2) Subtle Body (or Sukshma Sharira) and 3) Causal Body (Karana Sharira).  These bodies are equated with five koshas (sheaths) which cover the Atman. All the three bodies are interconnected and the optimal living occurs when they are in harmony with each other.

1. GROSS BODY / PHYSICAL BODY (OR STHOOL SARIRA)

Gross body is the physical body and is made up of the Panchmahabhutas – the five very basic elements, i.e., Akash (Space), Vayu (air), Agni (fire), Jal (water) and Prithvi (earth).  It is the outer layer of physical mortal body that performs the functions in the physical world in the Awakened State (Jagrit Awastha) and enjoys gross objects and has contact with the external world.  Human form is attained by virtue of our good karmas and should, therefore, be utilized for further evolvement.  It is a karmaboomi to perform karmas and a place to enjoy and/or suffer the result of our karmas. This gross body is subject to change:  existence, birth,  growth, maturity, decay and death. Ultimately, at the end (death), the physical body perishes and its five elements are dissolved. The qualities of Atman (soul) : sat-chit-anand are not manifested in the Gross Body.

2. SUBTLE BODY (SUKSHAM SHARIRA):

Subtler to the Body are the Senses; subtler to the Senses is the Mind and still subtler to the Mind is the Intellect.

Subtle Body is connected to the Physical Body. Subtle Body receives signals from the outer world and directs the physical body to perform actions.   Subtle Body is most active in the Dream State and through this Body we experience pleasure and pain.

In Bhagwad Gita, the Subtle Body is described as combination 17 components: i.e. 5 Gyanindriyas, 5 Karmaindriyas, 5 Pranas, Mind and Intellect.  Subtle Body emanates from Causal Body and controls all aspects of Physical Body. Subtle Body transmigrates after physical death and operates as a medium for reincarnation.

This Subtle body is made up of five elements in a subtle form. As it is comprised of elements, it is called Inert (Jad). It is an instrument to reap the fruits of our karmas (good or bad). Subtle Body is subtler than the Gross Body and has its affect on the later.

COMPONENETS OF SUBTLE BODY:  

3. CAUSAL BODY (KARANA SHARIRA):

This Body is indescribable and it  has no beginning.   In this Body, one is in Deep Sleep (Susupti Awastha) and in a state of Ignorance – ignorance of one’s real identity.  And ignorance is BLISS.  In Deep Sleep, Gross and Subtle bodies become inactive, but the Causal Body remains active.  With the dawn of knowledge, ignorance vanishes and one becomes aware and experiences his Real Self.

Causal Body is the cause or the seed of Gross and Subtle Body.  This is the cause of incarnation of all the bodies. On death, Gross and the Subtle Bodies merge with the Causal Body.  One does not experience pleasure or pain in Causal Body.  It is our core functioning and is connected to Anandmaya Kosha (Bliss).  Nourishing this Body with Japa, Tapa, perception of God everywhere, (Vasudevah Sarvam), will nourish all the three Bodies.  It is like nourishing (watering) the roots that results in nourishing the entire tree.

Negative effects of our present and past karmas and sanskaars can also be eradicated in this Sharira.  By removing the layers of Tamoguni, Rajoguni and Satoguni karmas, we can perceive our real Swaroop which is Sat-Chit-Anand. Through Yoga practice, asanas, pranayama and dhyan (meditation), it is possible to elevate the Physical and Subtle Bodies to the higher Self (Conscience) and to transport the Real Self to liberation from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth.  It forges connection of True Self with the Universal Energy or Brahman.

4.     THREE STATES:

 1)  Jagrit (Awake),  2) Swapan (Dream) and  3) Susupti (Deep Sleep)

 

1)    JAGRIT AWASTHA (AWAKE STATE): i) In this State, Atma (soul) identifies itself with the Gross Body. ii) It receives inputs from the sense objects.

2)    SWAPAN AWASTHA (DREAM STATE):  i) Desires, aspirations perceived by the sense objects in the Awakened State are manifested in the Dream State.  ii) The Soul resides in unison with the Subtle Body.

3)    SUSUPTI AWASTHA (DEEP SLEEP STATE:  i) In this state, one is not aware of anything. ii)  The soul is identified with the Karan Sharira (Causal Body).  iii) Knowledge of the Gross and Subtle Body is not there.

 

5. PANCHKOSH (CONCEPT OF FIVE SHEATHS IN RELATION TO BODIES):  The Soul has five covering sheaths.

i)       ANNMAY KOSH: It is a creation of food, sustains on food and ultimately dissolves in food. So it is called as Annamay Kosh. This is Gross Body.

ii)    PRANMAYA KOSH:  This Kosh is subtler to Annamay Kosh and affects the Gross Body.  The ability of the body to perform action is called Pran.  It comprises of Five Prans:  Pran, Apaan, Samaan, Vyaan, Udaan. Five Karamindriyas are also partially considered in this Kosh (Sheath).

The five types of Prans and their functions are as follows:

a)      PRAN        –        Respiration

b)     APAAN     –        Excretion (Urine, stool, child birth

c)      SAMAAN  –       Digestion

d)     VYAAN    –        Blood Circulation

e)      UDAAN    –       Brain and Nervous System

With age, the Pran Shakti (vital energy) becomes weak. Pranayam (breathing excercises) helps to slow down the ageing process.

 

iii) MANOMAYA KOSH:

a)      It comprises of Man (mind) plus five Gyanindriyas.

b)     This Kosh is subtler to Annamaya and Pranamaya Koshas.

c)      Man (mind) has its effect on Pran (vital force) and the Body.

d)     It receives inputs from Gyanindriyas and transmits to Intellect.

 

iv)  VIGYANMAYA KOSH: 

a)     It comprises of Budhi (Intellect) plus five Gyanindriyas are also partially counted in this Kosh.

b)    Gyanindriyas take inputs from outer world and transmit to Man (Mind); in turn, Man (mind) transmits to Budhi (Intellect), and the Intellect takes a suitable decision and directs Karamindriyas to perform the action.

c)     This Kosh is subtler to Annamaya Kosh, Pranamay Kosh and Manomaya Kosh.

 

v)    ANANDMAYA KOSH:

a)     Karan Sharira (State of Ignorance) is called Anandmaya Kosh.

b)    It is experienced in a State of Susupti Awastha (Deep Sleep)

c)     Happiness arising out of ignorance is experienced.

d)    This happiness is not a State of Bliss of the Soul. Along with  Satvaguna, there is  also a mixture of Rajoguna and Tamoguna in it.

 

In Brief:

Gross Body     =   Annamaya Kosh

Subtle Body    =   Pranamaya Kosh + Manomaya Kosh + Vigyanmya Kosh

Causal Body    =   Anandmaya Kosh

Graphic representation of Five Koshas with reference to the Three Bodies

 

And who is even superior to the Intellect is He (the Atman).

Although all the three bodies described above are interconnected with each other and ought to be in harmony with each other for spiritual growth, yet the real Self (Atma – the conscience, awareness) is different from these Bodies. Atma belongs to Paramatma and it is ardent desire of every sublime Atma to go back (merge) to its real source – the Supreme Conscience.  And that is Salvation.