Anandamaya kosha

Dr Satish K Kapoor

Bliss-body is the innermost kosha or layer encasing the human soul. It is preceded, in terms of subtlety, by sheaths of matter, energy, mind and intellect. Ananda, the highest spiritual bliss, is one of the three attribute of Brahman, the ultimate Reality, along with truth and beauty. Bliss is a divine blessing, a universal expression of para-shakti, the primordial cosmic energy, which manifests in human beings when they live a life most conducive to spiritual progress.

Attributes of bliss-body

Anandamaya kosha, also called hiranamaya kosha, sheath of gold, hridaya akasha, the bright space in the heart, hridaya pundarika, lotus of the heart, or brahmapura, city of Brahma, is free from physical and mental functions. It is experienced when the conditioned soul is disentangled from illusory pleasures of the world, and is stabilsed in the true self within.

State of being

Anandamaya kosha is a state of being experienced as bliss. It is rooted in three vritti-s, or tendencies of the mind — priyam, moda and pramoda. Priyam is a pleasurable emotion that arises from the mere sight or thought of something one holds dear. Moda is the onset of rapturous feeling after one has attained that object. Pramoda stands for actual enjoyment of the object of love.

Pure consciousness

Bliss is not just happiness, but the power of pure consciousness that operates in a person. The characteristics of happiness are pleasure, love, satisfaction, and delight arising primarily from the fulfillment of mundane desires or tasks. Bliss transcends ordinary pleasures; it is abiding joy that fulfils. Tiruvalluvar, an ancient Tamil poet-saint, admonishes (Tirukular, xviii.173): ‘Those who seek immortal bliss will not succumb to immoral deeds that follow desire for fleeting delights.’

Divine presence

Bliss, with regard to the Supreme reality, is experienced in proportion to the element of sattva — quality of purity or goodness — in a person. The prerequisites to attain it are: intense longing for supreme knowledge, pious fellowship, possession of forbearance, eradication of desires, cultivation of viveka, wisdom, and practice of para vairagya, mental renunciation, in daily life. These disciplines should be accompanied by prarthana and upasana, prayer and worship respectively, and by dhyana, meditation. When the mind is absorbed in the object of meditation, by continued efforts, one progresses inward, from lower to higher chakra-s or vortices of energy, and gains knowledge of one’s true nature. As meditation deepens, peaceful vibrations radiate the environment. One perceives the divine presence everywhere, in rivers and mountains, in plants and animals, and in man, the crown of creation. The muddled mentality that triggers sinful acts gives way to higher intelligence that deters one from succumbing to the lower propensities.

— Dr Kapoor is a noted author, educationist and spiritualist