According to yoga philosophy, a person has not only the physical body but two more bodies which happens within the outer physical body. It’s called the concept of Sharira Traya or three bodies in yoga. Yoga believes that three bodies must be treated for a complete healing process rather than just the physical body. Yoga, Advaita Vedanta, Tantra, and Shaivism all adhere to the Three Bodies Doctrine, which is a fundamental principle in Indian philosophy and religion.

1. 3 BODIES CONCEPT OF YOGA
(Sthul , Sukshma , Karan)
Shivam Mishra
www.skmyoga.com

2. Introduction
• According to yoga philosophy, a person has not only the physical
body but two more bodies which happens within the outer physical
body. It’s called the concept of Sharira Traya or three bodies in
yoga.
• Yoga believes that three bodies must be treated for a complete
healing process rather than just the physical body. Yoga, Advaita
Vedanta, Tantra, and Shaivism all adhere to the Three Bodies
Doctrine, which is a fundamental principle in Indian philosophy and
religion.
www.skmyoga.com

3. • Every human being is said to consist of three vital bodies, namely
the Sthula sharira (gross body), Sukshma sharira (subtle body),
and Karana sharira (causal body). Each body has a unique energy
field composed of different compositions that vibrate at various
frequencies. Our “Self” appears to be clad in three bodies and
experiences three interconnected states, namely sleeping,
dreaming, and waking, respectively
www.skmyoga.com

4. • “Five koshas” or sheaths, which are respectively annamaya kosha,
pranamaya kosha, manomaya kosha, vijnanamaya kosha,
and anandamaya kosha, – are incorporated in these three bodies.
• In this article, we will see each of the three body’s characteristics,
components and related koshas to it.
www.skmyoga.com

5. Sthual Sharira
• The material, mortal, breathing, eating, and moving body is known
as the “gross body,” or sthula sarira. It is made up of flesh and
bone, including tissues, cells, molecules and atoms, and serves as
the vehicle for all the other Principles (bodies).
• The experience of sthula sharir or gross body is felt during the
waking state.
www.skmyoga.com

6. Components of the gross body
• This sthula sharira or gross body is made up of the five elements
(Pancha tattva); Akash (space or ether), Vayu (air), Agni
(fire), Jal (water), and Prithvi (earth). To increase, restore and
balance these elements and maintain gross body health, yoga
poses and breathing techniques can be practised.
•
www.skmyoga.com

7. Characteristics
• The primary goals of the gross body (Sthula sharira) are to
understand the Self (Atman), experience eternal bliss, and achieve
the peak of spirituality, which will ultimately result in salvation
(Moksha).
• In its lifetime, the physical body goes through many changes and
modifications and is visible to us as well as others. Being able to
see and feel its exterior layers on a daily basis makes it the body
that most people find easiest to relate to.
www.skmyoga.com

8. • The sthula sharira undergoes six different changes throughout our
lives – birth, subsistence, development, maturity, decay, and
death. It’s the cycle of the physical body.
• The gross body only lasts for a limited time period in the natural
world, and after that age, nature declares it to be extinct. The 5
basic components are divided after death when the physical body
expires.
www.skmyoga.com

9. Related kosha
• The gross body is home to the annamaya kosha or food sheath
and a portion of the pranamaya kosha, the vital or energy sheath.
• The mouth, hands, feet, anus, and genitalia are the
five karmendriyas or organs of action that make up the pranamaya
kosha. We experience hot, cold, hunger, thirst, and other things
within this kosha.
• The gross body’s demands are met by the Annamaya kosha and
Pranamaya kosha, which give it food, water, and air.
www.skmyoga.com

10. Sukshma Sharira
• The suksham sharira or the subtle body is what happens behind the physical or
gross body. Prana resides in this body which is the vital force of life that keeps the
physical body alive and directs its activities.
• The astral body is subtle, invisible to the eye components, and is not tangible or
material in nature like the sthula sharira. The Nadis (subtle energy channels) have a
fine union with the physical body to live in this astral body.
• The ability to access it utilizing a variety of therapeutic approaches is possible
despite the fact that it is outside the range of our normal physical awareness.
• The experience of sthula sharir is felt during the waking and dream states.
•
www.skmyoga.com

11. Components of the subtle body
• It consists of seventeen components:
• Five perceptual senses (jnanendriyas) – eyes, ears, skin, tongue, and
nose
• Five action organs (karmendriyas) – mouth, hands, legs, anus, and
genitals
• Five vital vayu or air – Prana (respiration), Apana (evacuation), Samana
(digestion and assimilation), Vyana (circulation), and Udana (supporting
other vayus).
• Mind or manas
• Intellect or buddhi
www.skmyoga.com

12. Characteristics
• The subtle body resonates at a much greater frequency and is the home to
the kundalini energy.
• It is connected to our senses through which we experience pleasure and pain.
• The Sthula Sharira is encircled by the subtle body’s energetic aura. It exists before
the physical body since it is created upon, around, and within it, and it truly expires
and passes away when every last piece of the dead physical body is destroyed.
• It is in sukshma sharir that you can experience clairvoyance and clairaudience. A
yogi who is much advanced in his spiritual path can hear and see through his astral
eyes and ears, also called astral senses.
•
www.skmyoga.com

13. Related kosha
• The three koshas; pranamaya kosha (vital or energy sheath), manomaya
kosha (mental sheath), and vijnanamaya kosha (intellectual sheath) make
up the sukshma sharir.
• The five organs of action (karmendriyas) make up the pranamaya kosha.
• Manomaya kosha is where the mind (manas), subconscious (chitta), and
five perceptual senses (jnanendriyas) lie. They help us feel and
experience thinking, doubting, anger, lust, etc.
• Vijnanamaya kosha is made up of our intellect (buddhi) which we use to
analyze and evaluate the information we intake. It also regulates the ego
(ahamkara), discrimination, and decision-making.
www.skmyoga.com

14. KaranaSharira
• The human being was created from a subtle vibration known as karana sharira or
causal or karmic body. It is also the largest facet of our existence. Of the three
bodies, karana sharira is perceived as the most intricate.
• It is not a body in this definition; rather, it is an elemental force. Karana sharira is that
which cannot be explained (anirvachaniya) and has no beginning (anadi).
• A blend of the astral and physical bodies, the causal body is one of the subtlest types
of bodies. It preserves the spirit of the person from one life to the next when
reincarnation occurs and keeps track of all of our previous ideas, behaviors, and
acts.
• We sometimes overlook this body since it is much more difficult to sense and
connect with and it connects to the larger Self.
• The experience of karana sharira is felt during the waking, dreaming and deep sleep
state.
www.skmyoga.com

15. Characteristics of the causal body
• We get to know God through the causal body.
• It contains details on all the lives we have already lived as well as all of our past
experiences, memories, and habits.
• When a person dies, both the astral and causal bodies leave the physical body
jointly.
• Deep introspection utilizing meditation as a tool is the only way to actually
experience it.
• The term “soul,” “spirit,” or “atman” refers to the simple fact that consciousness
itself resides within the body.
• The karana sharira falls in line with all the worldly attachments and deep cravings
for the bodily goods and pleasures called vasanas.
www.skmyoga.com

16. Related Kosha
• The causal body is associated with anandamaya kosha (spiritual
bliss) which is the fifth and final sheath. We call it our blissful, joyful,
and peaceful side, and is our ultimate goal in yoga.
• Yogis contend that despite the fact that anandamaya kosha is
claimed to permeate all of the outer sheaths, it is impossible to see
until the outer sheaths’ fallacies are dispelled.
www.skmyoga.com

17. How to cleanse the three bodies
• For purifying three bodies, you must first purify the koshas or sheaths as
they are directly associated with each other. This is a must if you want to
discover your true self, advance in your spiritual path, and attain peace of
mind.
• The practices you can employ for cleansing the three bodies are:
• Yoga Asanas – Asanas will purify the annamaya kosha by toning,
reducing stress, and removing toxins and blockages from the overall
body.
• Proper Nutrition – Follow a healthy and sattvic diet, stay away from
unwanted substances that may overstimulate the mind, and include dairy.
This will also help in purifying the annamaya kosha
www.skmyoga.com

18. • Pranayama Breathing Exercises – Just like its name, it will purify the pranamaya
kosha through various breathing exercises such as kapalbhati, bhramari, Nadi
shodhana, bhastrika, etc.
• Meditation and Positive Thinking – These facets target the manomaya kosha as it
is related to the mind. Regular meditation will improve concentration and mental
clarity. It will lead to lower stress and positive thinking. Adopting bhakti and karma
yoga can be helpful.
• Truthfulness and Contentment – By letting go of ego, resentment, and pride, will
cleanse the vijnanamaya kosha. Selflessness, being truthful to one’s intention, and
being content with what you have will have a positive impact on your intellect.
• Self-realization – this comes when all other koshas have been purified. Once you
reach this stage, your Anandamaya kosha is cleansed.
www.skmyoga.com

19. THANKS
www.skmyoga.com