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कारण शरीर
kāraṇa-śarīra
The causal body; the seed-body containing latent karmic impressions. Anandamaya kosha resides here. Dissolved only at moksha.
कारण शरीर; अव्यक्त बीज-देह।
Hindu thought is built from a vocabulary of carefully-distinguished terms. Words like karana-sharira are not loose translations — each has a precise scriptural genealogy, a specific role in ritual or philosophy, and often a counterpart that completes its meaning. Many of the major Hindu darśanas (Sāṅkhya, Yoga, Vedānta, Mīmāṃsā, Nyāya, Vaiśeṣika) refined their vocabulary over centuries; the same Sanskrit term can carry different shades in different schools.
Karana-sharira sits within a cluster of related concepts — sthula-sharira, sukshma-sharira, anandamaya. Reading these together gives you the actual texture of the idea, rather than treating it as an isolated definition. Each Sanskrit term in this glossary is cross-linked to the others it presupposes.
Where useful we cite the primary scriptural source — the Upaniṣad, sūtra, or smṛti passage where the term is given its classical sense — alongside trusted modern dictionaries (Monier-Williams, V.S. Apte, Sanskrit Heritage). For practical questions about usage in pūjā or daily life, ask a paṇḍita in your tradition.
The gross/physical body, made of the five gross elements. The first of three bodies (sthula, sukshma, karana). Annamaya kosha resides here.
The subtle body — composed of the five pranas, mind (manas), intellect (buddhi), ego (ahamkara), and the five sense organs. Persists across lifetimes until moksha.
The bliss-sheath; the fifth/innermost kosha. Made of latent ananda. Closest covering of Atman; identified with karana-sharira.
The bliss-sheath; the fifth/innermost kosha. Made of latent ananda. Closest covering of Atman; identified with karana-sharira.
The food-sheath; the gross physical body. First/outermost kosha. Made of food, sustained by food, returns to food.
Energy wheel; the seven major energy centres along the sushumna — Muladhara, Svadhisthana, Manipura, Anahata, Vishuddha, Ajna, Sahasrara. Each has its bija, presiding deity, lotus petals, and element.
Sheath; the five layers covering the Atman — Annamaya (food), Pranamaya (vital), Manomaya (mental), Vijnanamaya (intellect), Anandamaya (bliss). Discrimination of these reveals the Self.
The coiled spiritual energy at the base of the spine (muladhara chakra). When awakened, it ascends through the chakras via the sushumna nadi to the sahasrara, leading to enlightenment.
The mental sheath; third kosha. Manas + jnanendriyas (sense-organs).
Subtle channel; 72,000 nadis are described, with three principal — Ida (left, lunar), Pingala (right, solar), Sushumna (central, fire). Pranayama balances ida and pingala to allow sushumna flow.
Vital life-energy. Five primary pranas (pancha-vayu): Prana, Apana, Samana, Udana, Vyana. Five secondary: Naga, Kurma, Krikara, Devadatta, Dhananjaya.
Awaiting paṇḍita verification before final publication. If you spot an inaccuracy in the Sanskrit, IAST, or interpretation, please write to us.