A Philosophical and Scientific Exploration of the Five Sheaths (Pancha Kosha) that Unveiling Consciousness (Chaitanya)
Mamta Vijay
Journal of Ayurveda and Holistic Medicine April 20, 2025 DOI: 10.70066/jahm.v13i3.1708 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
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| Key findings | The authors argue that the Pancha Kosha framework from the Taittiriya Upanishad maps onto cognitive and neurological processes described by modern neuroscience, and that combining Vedantic spiritual insights with neuroscientific findings can provide a more integrated understanding of consciousness. They contend that this integration bridges philosophy and science and advances consciousness research by incorporating ancient wisdom. |
Abstract
Background: Consciousness (Chaitanya) has played a significant role in Indian philosophy and modern neuroscience. The Taittiriya Upanishad relies on Pancha Kosha (the Five Sheaths) to explain human existence from the physical plane to the transcendental realm. Western neuroscience uses cognitive and neurological frameworks to study Consciousness, but Vedantic philosophy links these sheaths to realizing the Self (Atman).
Objectives: This research focuses on investigating Pancha Kosha's philosophical and scientific facets while looking at their significance in consciousness studies. To give a comprehensive knowledge of mind-body connections by fusing contemporary neuroscience with Vedantic ideas.
Methods: The review focused on Vedantic texts, neuroscience, and consciousness research, and a thorough literature analysis was carried out utilizing Cochrane through the PubMed database of Science, Embase, Google Scholar, and institutional archives to explore links between Pancha Kosha, Sharira Traya, and Consciousness. Findings and
Discussion: The study emphasizes how the five sheaths interact with awareness. Neuroscience supports Vedantic ideas by showing connections between the Pancha Kosha framework and cognitive processes. The study bridges the gap between philosophy and science by combining spiritual insights with factual facts.
Conclusion: The Pancha Kosha concept integrates transcendental and material awareness to offer a comprehensive approach to Consciousness. This work advances modern neuroscience by incorporating ancient wisdom into consciousness research.