What are PanchaKosas?

Dear Asha,
Welcome to this sub-forum.
I am very happy to know that you have learnt all this in your philosophy classes ! So it will be less "scary" to you than others !!
Thankyou very much for joining us here.
Love,
Chithra.

 

Dear Pavithra,
A very sweet feedback from you - thankyou very much.
Understanding these are very valuable in life because our "deha abhimanam" starts decreasing after a certain stage.
The best statement in your post is, that you feel already, a change in your outlook. What you write is the first step in practising karma yoga. May God be with you in this journey.
Do not think or worry, I am stressing myself. No, I am enjoying every article I write in vedanta, immensely. Thanks for your concern.
Love,
Chithra.

 

Dear Gayu,
I have to give you an in-depth explanation. Hope I am not testing your patience.
Tanmatras actually mean the specific substance out of which the gross elements are essentially made, and from which anything can be deduced by an increase in the density of these components through a mixing by way of proportionate combination. This is called "Pancheekaranam", which is too elaborate to be explained here.
The Sanskrit words for the five Tanmatras are Sabda, Sparsa, Rupa, Rasa and Gandha, i.e., the principle of sound connected with Ether(space), the principle of touch connected with Air, the principle of sight or colour connected with Fire, the principle of taste connected with Water, and the principle of smell connected with Earth. These in their universal significance are the Tanmatras, the essential subtle ingredients behind the five gross elements.
19 parts of sukshma sariram are;
1-5 - 5 jnanendriyas - perceptors or entrance gates for physiological functions also called sense organs of knowledge
ears (sabda)
skin(sparsha)
Eyes (rupa)
tongue (rasa)
nose (gandha)

6-10 - 5 karmendriyas - sense organs of action - exit gates
Tongue - speech
Legs - motion
hands - carrying
genitals - reproduction
anus - excretion

11-15 - Panchapranas - supporters of sense organs; also energy generators or convertors
Prana - respiration
Apana - excretion
samana - digestion
udana - reversal system
vyana - distribution

16-10 - fourfold inner organs called anthakaranas
Manas - doubts, desires, emotions
Buddhi - inner judgement, concentration
Chitham - memory (subconscious)
Ahankara - ego (identification)

During death, the sukshma sariram leaves the body & all the associated organs stop functioning. All kosass stop their function, simultaneously.
Death can be explained as "chaithanyam" leaving the body. We will see that as we proceed deeper. It is a mystery till today !

Thanks for your detailed F B.
Love,
Chithu.

 

Dear Shanthi,
Thanks for joining us here.
Why you alone, I am still chewing & very often sit all over again reading the most elementary book Thathva Bodha !
I too find it challenging to answer doubts - but let me be frank, far from easy !
Love,
Chithra.

 

Dear Pushpavalli,
Every F B from you, touches my heart, all the more because you are a senior citizen like me.
Though challenging, this has become an enjoyable "exercise" for me !
Thankyou very much.
Love,
Chithra.