{"id":85,"date":"2022-07-27T11:05:02","date_gmt":"2022-07-27T11:05:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pranayoga.co.in\/jnana-yoga\/?p=85"},"modified":"2022-07-27T11:50:22","modified_gmt":"2022-07-27T11:50:22","slug":"annamayakosha-the-food-sheath-layer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pranayoga.co.in\/jnana-yoga\/annamayakosha-the-food-sheath-layer\/","title":{"rendered":"Annamayakosha- The food sheath\/ layer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contents<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"#what_is_annamaya\">What is annamayakosha?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#physical_explanation_annamaya\">Ayurveda on Annamayakosha<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#spirituality_and_annamaya\">Spirituality and Annamayakosha<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#how_to_work_annamaya\">How to work on Annamayakosha<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#taittriya_on_annamaya\">Taittriya Upanishad on Annamayakosha<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#sanskrit_verses\">Sanskrit Verses<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#english_transliteration\">English Transliteration<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#word_by_word_meaning\">Word by word meaning<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#translation\">Translation<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#commentary\">Commentary<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what_is_annamaya\"><strong>What is annamaya kosha?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Translation<\/strong>: anna maya kosha (\u0905\u0928\u094d\u0928 \u092e\u092f \u0915\u094b\u0936); anna (\u0905\u0928\u094d\u0928) \u2013 food, grains, cereal; maya (\u092e\u092f)- consisting of, made of; kosha (\u0915\u094b\u0936)- envelope, cell, container, covering, sheath, layer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Annamayakosha, the food body (or food sheath) is one of the components of the five layers of the (the panchakosha) under which our true self resides. Understanding this layer both physically and spiritually can liberate us from the problems and attachments related to the physical body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"physical_explanation_annamaya\">Ayurveda on<strong> Annamaya kosha<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The layer which is made of food is called the annamaya kosha or the food body. Its consists of our physical body which is largely dependent on the type of food we eat. This food that we eat goes through a variety of processes to form different tissues in the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Ayurveda the physical body is made up of seven types of tissues (dhatus, \u0927\u093e\u0924\u0941)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Lymph or Plasma (rasa, \u0930\u0938 )<\/strong>&#8211; this is the fluid component of the blood that delivers nutrients to different parts of the body and transports the waste products of cellular metabolism to the appropriate organs for excretion. It also carries the cells and antibodies to fight infections.<\/li><li><strong>Blood (Rakta, \u0930\u0915\u094d\u0924)<\/strong> \u2013 this transports oxygen and carbon dioxide, regulates body temperature, forms clots, carries glucose<\/li><li><strong>Muscles (Mamsa, \u092e\u093e\u0902\u0938)<\/strong> \u2013 These are responsible for all the functions in the body which require movement. Eg locomotion, digestion, blood circulation (heart pumping), speaking, etc.<\/li><li><strong>Fat (Meda, \u092e\u0947\u0926)<\/strong> \u2013 This stores energy, insulates the body, protects the organs, helps the body to signal and regulate hormones, provides lubrication<\/li><li><strong>Bone (Asthi, \u0905\u0938\u094d\u0925\u093f)<\/strong> &#8211; provides shape and support to the body, protects organs, stores, and releases minerals,<\/li><li><strong>Bone marrow (Majja, \u092e\u091c\u094d\u091c\u093e)<\/strong>&#8211; Consists of the stem cells which are the raw material from which all other cells in the body are derived.<\/li><li><strong>Reproductive tissues (\u0936\u0941\u0915\u094d\u0930)<\/strong>&#8211; The reproductive tissues consisting of sperm and ovum<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"spirituality_and_annamaya\"><strong>Spiritual explanation of Annamaya kosha<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This body is understood to be the vehicle of the soul, it is your own personal temple and is to be treated as such. The physical body enhances our experience of life. If your annamaya kosha is properly maintained then various activities of life (trekking, cycling, swimming walking, etc) could become very enjoyable but it could also be suffering for a person who doesn&#8217;t maintain their food body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Food is the basic need, once this is taken care of we can advance into the spiritual dimensions. Otherwise, we would keep spending all our time trying to accumulate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are a lot of ways we can get attached to the annamayakosha. The main emotion involved is fear. The unconscious fear of a sense of security and survival might get us stuck into this kosha. Even though we might have enough we keep on stressing and accumulating more. Money and other important things are required for survival but circling your life only around one dimension of life can stop you from having other beautiful life experiences. In this process, you might even be ruining the very thing (the body) that you wanted to secure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another way in which we create an attachment to this layer is how we look. Sometimes this can cause extreme attachments and identification with the physical body leading to many forms of body obsessions (anorexia, body-building addictions, cosmetic surgery, etc.).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The definition of beauty keeps on changing from time to time. Maintaining the physical body is a good thing. But when it changes into an obsession and you get completely dependent on how the outside world views you then you get stuck into the vicious circle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The modern world has changed the meaning of fitness, rather than it being a measure of being able to do life activities without the problems of the body getting in the way it is determined purely on looks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Like all forms the body cannot last forever, if this concept can be understood and accepted fully, you will be able to approach living (and dying which are in effect the same word) with more clarity and confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how_to_work_annamaya\"><strong>How to work on annamaya kosha?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One kosha doesn\u2019t work on its own but keeps on interacting with other koshas as well. The annamaya kosha is the outermost layer and all the other kosha can have an effect on this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Proper food and exercise according to your body type will help to optimize the food body. Ayurveda can help you to <a href=\"https:\/\/pranayoga.co.in\/asana\/ayurvedic-constitution-analysis-find-your-prakriti\/\">find your body type<\/a> (vata, pitta, kapha).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Read more details about the <a href=\"https:\/\/pranayoga.co.in\/asana\/ayurveda-vata-dosha-and-vata-diseases\/\">vata body type<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/pranayoga.co.in\/asana\/ayurveda-pitta-dosha-and-pitta-diseases\/\">pitta body type<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/pranayoga.co.in\/asana\/ayurveda-kapha-dosha-and-kapha-diseases\/\">kapha body type<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After you know your body type then you can start eating your food accordingly. But keep in mind that everyone is different, along with the knowledge of the body types also be aware of the foods that suit your body. Don\u2019t just follow any generic ideas but make it a habit to experiment with your body in a controlled and aware way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Choosing the type of exercise according to your own body is also important. We need to achieve a balance of strength and flexibility. If you are naturally flexible then your tendency would be to only do the flexibility exercises because that is what comes easy to you. But the exercise that you would need is strength training. This same concept works the other way round. This doesn&#8217;t mean that you are never allowed to practice the things you are good at but including these opposite elements will help to achieve more balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>This is the main ayurvedic principle of using the opposite to balance.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The idea is to see what problems are there in your body and then approach accordingly. It could be<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>flexible but weak<\/li><li>strong but inflexible<\/li><li>weak and inflexible<\/li><li>balanced<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Sometimes what you want and what you need might be different.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Another way to work on annamayakosha is the <a href=\"https:\/\/pranayoga.co.in\/asana\/shat-kriya-six-yogic-cleansing-techniques\/\">Shat-Kriya (the six yogic cleansing or detox techniques)<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"taittriya_on_annamaya\">Description of Annamaya kosha in Taittriya Upanishad<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The panchakosha is mentioned in one of the old Sanskrit manuscripts called the Taittriya Upanishads. Here are the verses and the translation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"sanskrit_verses\">Sanskrit verses<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>\u0905\u0928\u094d\u0928\u093e\u0926\u094d\u0935\u0948 \u092a\u094d\u0930\u091c\u093e\u0903 \u092a\u094d\u0930\u091c\u093e\u092f\u0928\u094d\u0924\u0947 \u0964 \u092f\u093e\u0903 \u0915\u093e\u0936\u094d\u091a \u092a\u0943\u0925\u093f\u0930\u094d\u0935\u0940\u0936\u094d\u0930\u093f\u0924\u093e\u0903 \u0964<br>\u0905\u0925\u094b \u0905\u0928\u094d\u0928\u0947\u0928\u0948\u0935 \u091c\u0940\u0935\u0928\u094d\u0924\u093f \u0964 \u0905\u0925\u0948\u0928\u0926\u092a\u093f \u092f\u0928\u094d\u0924\u094d\u092f\u0928\u094d\u0924\u0924\u0903 \u0964<br>\u0905\u0928\u094d\u0928\u0902 \u0939\u093f \u092d\u0942\u0924\u093e\u0928\u093e\u0902 \u091c\u094d\u092f\u0947\u0937\u094d\u0920\u092e\u094d \u0964 \u0924\u0938\u094d\u092e\u093e\u0924\u094d \u0938\u0930\u094d\u0935\u094c\u0937\u0927\u092e\u0941\u091a\u094d\u092f\u0924\u0947 \u0964<br>\u0938\u0930\u094d\u0935\u0902 \u0935\u0948 \u0924\u0947\u093d\u0928\u094d\u0928\u092e\u093e\u092a\u094d\u0928\u0941\u0935\u0928\u094d\u0924\u093f \u0964 \u092f\u0947\u093d\u0928\u094d\u0928\u0902 \u092c\u094d\u0930\u0939\u094d\u092e\u094b\u092a\u093e\u0938\u0924\u0947 \u0964<br>\u0905\u0928\u094d\u0928\u093e\u0926\u094d \u092d\u0942\u0924\u093e\u0928\u093f \u091c\u093e\u092f\u0928\u094d\u0924\u0947 \u0964 \u091c\u093e\u0924\u093e\u0928\u094d\u092f\u0928\u094d\u0928\u0947\u0928 \u0935\u0930\u094d\u0927\u0928\u094d\u0924\u0947 \u0964<br>\u0905\u0926\u094d\u092f\u0924\u0947\u093d\u0924\u094d\u0924\u093f \u091a \u092d\u0942\u0924\u093e\u0928\u093f \u0964 \u0924\u0938\u094d\u092e\u093e\u0926\u0928\u094d\u0928\u0902 \u0924\u0926\u0941\u091a\u094d\u092f\u0924 \u0907\u0924\u093f \u0964<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"english_transliteration\">English Transliteration<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>ann\u0101dvai praj\u0101\u1e25 praj\u0101yante . y\u0101\u1e25 k\u0101\u015bca p\u1e5bthiv\u012br\u015brit\u0101\u1e25 .<br>atho annenaiva j\u012bvanti . athainadapi yantyantata\u1e25 .<br>annamhi bh\u016bt\u0101n\u0101\u1e43 jye\u1e63\u1e6dham . tasm\u0101t sarvau\u1e63adhamucyate .<br>sarva\u1e43 vai te\u2019nnam\u0101pnuvanti . ye\u2019nna\u1e43 brahmop\u0101sate .<br>ann\u0101d bh\u016bt\u0101ni j\u0101yante . j\u0101t\u0101nyannena vardhante .<br>adyate\u2019tti ca bh\u016bt\u0101ni . tasm\u0101danna\u1e43 taducyata iti<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"word_by_word_meaning\">Word by word meaning<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Ann\u0101dvai (\u0905\u0928\u094d\u0928\u093e\u0926\u094d\u0935\u0948)<\/em> &#8211; from food; <em>praj\u0101\u1e25 (\u092a\u094d\u0930\u091c\u093e\u0903)<\/em>&#8211; creatures, people, beings; <em>praj\u0101yante (\u092a\u094d\u0930\u091c\u093e\u092f\u0928\u094d\u0924\u0947)<\/em>&#8211; are born;<em> y\u0101\u1e25 k\u0101\u015bca (\u092f\u093e\u0903 \u0915\u093e\u0936\u094d\u091a)<\/em>&#8211; which and whatever (all); <em>p\u1e5bthiv\u012br\u015brit\u0101\u1e25 (\u092a\u0943\u0925\u093f\u0930\u094d\u0935\u0940\u0936\u094d\u0930\u093f\u0924\u093e\u0903)<\/em>&#8211; dependent on earth; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>atho (\u0905\u0925\u094b)<\/em>&#8211; again, next; <em>annenaiva (\u0905\u0928\u094d\u0928\u0947\u0928\u0948\u0935)<\/em>&#8211; by food; <em>j\u012bvanti (\u091c\u0940\u0935\u0928\u094d\u0924\u093f)<\/em>&#8211; (they) live, sustained; <em>athainadapi (\u0905\u0925\u0948\u0928\u0926\u092a\u093f)<\/em>&#8211; again into this; <em>yantyantata\u1e25 (\u092f\u0928\u094d\u0924\u094d\u092f\u0928\u094d\u0924\u0924\u0903)<\/em>&#8211; go back at the end;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>annamhi (\u0905\u0928\u094d\u0928\u0902 \u0939\u093f)<\/em>&#8211; food is; <em>bh\u016bt\u0101n\u0101\u1e43 (\u092d\u0942\u0924\u093e\u0928\u093e\u0902)<\/em>&#8211; of all beings; <em>jye\u1e63\u1e6dham (\u091c\u094d\u092f\u0947\u0937\u094d\u0920\u092e\u094d)<\/em>&#8211; oldest, eldest; <em>tasm\u0101t (\u0924\u0938\u094d\u092e\u093e\u0924\u094d)<\/em> &#8211; therefore; <em>sarvau\u1e63adhamucyate (\u0938\u0930\u094d\u0935\u094c\u0937\u0927\u092e\u0941\u091a\u094d\u092f\u0924\u0947)<\/em>&#8211; (it) is called medicine for all;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>sarva\u1e43 vai(\u0938\u0930\u094d\u0935\u0902 \u0935\u0948)<\/em> &#8211; all; <em>te\u2019nnam\u0101pnuvanti (\u0924\u0947\u093d\u0928\u094d\u0928\u092e\u093e\u092a\u094d\u0928\u0941\u0935\u0928\u094d\u0924\u093f)<\/em> &#8211; they get (all the) food (they want); <em>ye\u2019nna\u1e43 (\u092f\u0947\u093d\u0928\u094d\u0928\u0902)<\/em>&#8211; this food; <em>brahmop\u0101sate (\u092c\u094d\u0930\u0939\u094d\u092e\u094b\u092a\u093e\u0938\u0924\u0947)<\/em>&#8211; worship as brahm;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ann\u0101d (\u0905\u0928\u094d\u0928\u093e\u0926\u094d)- from food; bh\u016bt\u0101ni (\u092d\u0942\u0924\u093e\u0928\u093f)- creatures, people; <em>j\u0101yante (\u091c\u093e\u092f\u0928\u094d\u0924\u0947)<\/em> &#8211; are born; <em>j\u0101t\u0101nyannena vardhante (\u091c\u093e\u0924\u093e\u0928\u094d\u092f\u0928\u094d\u0928\u0947\u0928 \u0935\u0930\u094d\u0927\u0928\u094d\u0924\u0947)<\/em> \u2013 being born they grow with food;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>adyate\u2019tti (\u0905\u0926\u094d\u092f\u0924\u0947\u093d\u0924\u094d\u0924\u093f)<\/em>&#8211; (who are) here today; <em>ca bh\u016bt\u0101ni (\u091a \u092d\u0942\u0924\u093e\u0928\u093f)<\/em> &#8211; and beings;<em> tasm\u0101danna\u1e43 (\u0924\u0938\u094d\u092e\u093e\u0926\u0928\u094d\u0928\u0902)<\/em>&#8211; therefore food; <em>taducyata iti (\u0924\u0926\u0941\u091a\u094d\u092f\u0924 \u0907\u0924\u093f)<\/em>&#8211; is thus called;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"translation\">Translation of verses on annamayakosha<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>All beings are born from food and are dependent on earth (for food). By food, their life is sustained and once again in the end they go back to the earth. Food is the eldest of all beings therefore it is called medicine for all. Those who worship food as the Brahm (the absolute) get all the food they want. From food, the beings are born, with the food they grow. The ones (beings) here today are thus called the food for others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"commentary\">Commentary<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The verses are describing the cyclical nature of this physical body. From food, we are born, with the food we sustain ourselves and then we become the food again for others. This is the logical truth that everyone knows but is the most difficult to actually accept. We can only transcend the annamayakosha (the food layer) completely when we are able to accept this truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Food can act as a medicine and nourish the whole body. But excess of anything is bad. Become aware of the body and observe what it needs and how much it needs. Our body is intelligent and knows when full, but sometimes the taste of the food doesn\u2019t let us stop. A balanced regulated diet is the key. The body is naturally programmed to heal, it only needs a proper environment to do so (proper diet, nutrition, and exercise)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Food is Brahm- the absolute, the unchanging awareness or consciousness. This body is a vehicle to realize that brahm. Without this food (body) we can never realize it. Having gratitude for the food that we receive can help us be humble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">More on Kosha<\/h4>\n\n\n<ul class=\"lcp_catlist\" id=\"lcp_instance_0\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/pranayoga.co.in\/jnana-yoga\/anandamayakosha-the-bliss-sheath-layer\/\">Anandamayakosha- The Bliss Sheath\/ Layer<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/pranayoga.co.in\/jnana-yoga\/vijnanamayakosha-the-intellect-sheath-layer\/\">Vijnanamayakosha- The Intellect Sheath\/ Layer<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/pranayoga.co.in\/jnana-yoga\/manomayakosha-the-sensory-mind-sheath-layer\/\">Manomayakosha- The Sensory Mind Sheath\/ Layer<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/pranayoga.co.in\/jnana-yoga\/pranamayakosha-the-vital-energy-sheath-layer\/\">Pranamayakosha- The vital energy sheath\/ layer<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/pranayoga.co.in\/jnana-yoga\/panchakosha-the-five-layers\/\">Panchakosha- the five layers<\/a><\/li><li class=\"current\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pranayoga.co.in\/jnana-yoga\/annamayakosha-the-food-sheath-layer\/\">Annamayakosha- The food sheath\/ layer<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Contents What is annamayakosha? Ayurveda on Annamayakosha Spirituality and Annamayakosha How to work on Annamayakosha Taittriya Upanishad on Annamayakosha Sanskrit Verses English Transliteration Word by word meaning Translation Commentary What is annamaya kosha? Translation: anna maya kosha (\u0905\u0928\u094d\u0928 \u092e\u092f \u0915\u094b\u0936); anna (\u0905\u0928\u094d\u0928) \u2013 food, grains, cereal; maya (\u092e\u092f)- consisting of, made of; kosha (\u0915\u094b\u0936)- envelope,&hellip;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/pranayoga.co.in\/jnana-yoga\/annamayakosha-the-food-sheath-layer\/\" class=\"\" rel=\"bookmark\">Read More &raquo;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Annamayakosha- The food sheath\/ layer<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"","neve_meta_content_width":0,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[61,53],"tags":[62,56,65,64],"class_list":["post-85","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-panchakosha","category-yogic-anatomy","tag-annamaya-kosha","tag-annamayakosha","tag-annamayakosha-ayurveda","tag-the-food-body"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pranayoga.co.in\/jnana-yoga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pranayoga.co.in\/jnana-yoga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pranayoga.co.in\/jnana-yoga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pranayoga.co.in\/jnana-yoga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pranayoga.co.in\/jnana-yoga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=85"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/pranayoga.co.in\/jnana-yoga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":147,"href":"https:\/\/pranayoga.co.in\/jnana-yoga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85\/revisions\/147"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pranayoga.co.in\/jnana-yoga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=85"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pranayoga.co.in\/jnana-yoga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=85"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pranayoga.co.in\/jnana-yoga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=85"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}