THE NATURE OF THE 5 VIRBHADRAS (SUBTLE DIVINE BODIES) AND RELATED PREPARATIONS
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The gross physical body made of the 5 sense organs of action, 5 sense organs of knowledge, mind, intellect, psyche and ego can be seen visibly and can function in the external material world. Its indweller is called Prani (creature). The creature remains alive as long as the gross physical body remains functional and active. Social transactions take place via it only. Further ahead than these external world activities are 4 more bodies. These are used for spiritual purposes. Somewhere they are believed to be 3 and elsewhere 5. There are 3 Granthis (subtle complexes) called Brahmagranthi, Vishnugranthi and Rudragranthi. On their basis too great Rishis of yester eras have believed the existence of the gross, subtle and causal bodies. Others opine that Panchkoshas or 5 Sheaths of the body predominate. They say that each sheath is an individual body on its own. These Panchkoshas or 5 Sheaths of the body are:
1)
Annamaya Kosha or Food Sheath
2)
Pranamaya Kosha or Vital Force Sheath
3)
Manomaya Kosha or Mental Sheath
4)
Vijnanamaya Kosha or Intellectual/Intuition Sheath
5)
Anandamaya Kosha or Bliss Sheath
As per the above belief these are 5 bodies. These are different from the 5 elements and the 5 Pranas too are different from them. These 5 Koshas or 5 bodies are energized by Divine Powers. The 5 deities viz. Surya, Indra, Agni, Pavan and Varun preside over these 5 Koshas or 5 bodies.
In the procedure of Sookshmikaran Sadhana or rendering the psyche divinely subtle these 5 Koshas or 5 bodies are awakened and activated via such a special method that 5 amongst the 6 Chakras (subtle plexus) of the body latch on to these 5 Koshas or 5 bodies. These intertwined bodies are called Virbhadras. Each of these 5 has a separate individual body. According to the belief of the Theosophical Society they are: