Did You Know You Have Not One, But Three Bodies?

In Sanatan Dharma, human existence isn’t limited to just the physical form. According to ancient scriptures, we all have three bodiesSthool Sharir (physical), Sookshma Sharir (subtle), and Karan Sharir (causal). Each plays a unique role in our journey through life and beyond.

1. 🟢 Sthool Sharir (स्थूल शरीर) – The Gross Body

This is the physical body that we can see and touch.

  • Made up of five elements (Pancha Mahabhutas): Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Space.
  • Includes: bones, muscles, organs, skin, brain, etc.
  • It grows, ages, and dies.
  • It's the body we are most familiar with.

Conclusion:

🔸 Example: When we eat, sleep, walk – it’s through this body.

2. 🔵 Sookshma Sharir (सूक्ष्म शरीर) – The Subtle Body

This is the invisible body – made of energy and mind. It includes:

  • Mind (Manas) – our thoughts and emotions.
  • Intellect (Buddhi) – decision making, logic.
  • Ego (Ahamkar) – sense of "I" or self.
  • Prana (Life energy) – vital force that powers the body.
  • Five Gyan Indriyas (senses of knowledge) – hearing, sight, touch, taste, smell.
  • Five Karma Indriyas (organs of action) – speech, hands, feet, reproduction, elimination.

Conclusion:

🔸 This body leaves the gross body at death and carries the soul forward into the next birth (according to karma).

3. 🟡 Karan Sharir (कारण शरीर) – The Causal Body

This is the deepest, most subtle layer — the root cause of all.

  • It holds the impressions (Samskaras) of past actions and desires.
  • It's the blueprint of our personality and destiny.
  • It is the storehouse of Karma.
  • When we sleep in deep dreamless sleep (Sushupti), only this body remains active.

Conclusion:

🔸 This body is closest to the soul (Atman) and is destroyed only at liberation (Moksha).

🧭 Why is this important?

 

  • When we understand these layers, we realize: “I am not just this body”.

  • True Self-realization is knowing that the Atman (soul) is beyond all three — untouched, eternal, and pure.

  • This helps in spiritual growth, detachment, and inner peace.

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