Audio
Tablet Five
Relationship
Between
Chakras
and Koshas (Sheaths)
<1>As the first kosha (sheath) in an
individual is his physical body, which is under the influence of the
tama guna and is
manifested because of this force, so also the first
chakra is completely dominated by this force and is related to
this first sheath or kosha.
<2>The second sheath, which is
prana in the body, is
under the influence of the
raja guna. <3>It
is true that the
raja guna is the
life-force (prana)
and is good in general, but when it is under the influence of the
tama guna, it becomes worldly passion and thus unspiritual
desires arise. <4>This second sheath is related to the second
chakra in which the
raja guna is active. But it is under the influence of the
tama guna and is directed toward the external world, resulting
in heedless activities done in the manifested universe. It is where
the temptation arises and is symbolized as woman in the third
chapter in Genesis.
<5>The third
chakra
is related to the third kosha. In this level both
raja guna (mutative
force) and
satva guna (sentient
force,
intelligence) are
active, but they are still under the influence of the
tama guna. As the third kosha was the lower mental world, or the
place where the
mind was directed toward
fulfillment of desires for things in the external world, so also in
this
chakra
the intelligence
and activities are under the influence of the
tama guna
(external world). <6>That is why this layer or kosha is
called "mind." The worldly
intelligence
is in this level!
<7>This third kosha is the most important
layer to be understood, because it is in this state that individuals
use their
intelligence to
manipulate the external world for satisfaction of their gross
desires. <8>That is also why this is the center where longing
for wealth, possession, and power to satisfy one's selfish desires
(two first chakras) is
located. <9>Therefore, control of this
chakra or layer of the mind (kosha) is very important by
individuals and society in general.
<10>A person in the first layer of the mind (kosha)
is earth-bound. Then because of his fears, attachments, striving for
survival, etc., he becomes bound to anything that fulfills his
mundane needs. <11>A person in the second layer does not have
that much
intelligence
to inflict great suffering on others. <12>But it is those in
the third layer with
intelligence who cause exploitation of the two others in lower
levels. <13>This brings great suffering to humanity. <14>So
understanding this layer in depth is very necessary in order to
control the suffering inflicted on the individual and society.
<15>The fourth layer is related to the fourth
chakra, in which
prana (raja
guna) dominates. However, its direction is not toward the
external world (downward) but toward higher thoughts and the
spiritual world (upward). It is the beginning of spiritual feelings
and joy. <16>It is the place of unconditional Love.
<17>The fifth layer is related to the fifth
chakra in which the
satva guna (pure
intelligence)
dominates. Here a great joy (Ananda)
is experienced and the person comes in contact with the ethereal
world. All the activities and their purposes in the external world
(spiritual logic) become clear to him.
<18>In the sixth
chakra, the last bondage
is also overcome and the person becomes the master of the
three gunas. That
is why no kosha (sheath, layer of the mind) is left and the person
experiences infinity, great powers, and knowledge. But he still
maintains a small "i" to keep him in the body. Such a person is
called a Satguru or
perfect master (man-god).
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