kosa

Kosa, a Sanskrit term often transliterated as kosha or koṣa, literally means "sheath" or "covering." In Indian philosophy, the term is used to describe five interconnected sheaths that enclose the true self, or atman, and veil its true nature. The concept is central in Vedanta and yoga and provides a framework for gradual self-knowledge through meditation and discernment.

The five koshas are: annamaya kosha, the physical body made of food; pranamaya kosha, the life-force sheath governed by prana and respiration; manomaya kosha, the mental sheath comprising thoughts, emotions, and memories; vigyanamaya kosha, the intellect or wisdom sheath responsible for discrimination and understanding; and anandamaya kosha, the innermost sheath of bliss associated with a sense of unity and transcendence.

Traditional sources such as the Taittiriya Upanishad describe the koshas and their role in spiritual practice. In Advaita Vedanta and related yoga traditions, inquiry aims to recognize the atman beyond the coverings of the koshas, leading to self-realization and liberation.

While primarily a philosophical term, kosha appears across Hindu spiritual writings, with transliterations including kosha and koṣa. In English-language discussions, it is sometimes rendered as "kosa." The concept remains a foundational element in discussions of embodiment, consciousness, and the path to inner realization in these traditions.