By Swami Harshananda
The jīvātman or the bound soul has three śarīras or bodies. They are:
- Sthula śarīra - gross body
- Sukṣma or liṅgaśarīra - subtle body
- Kāraṇaśarīra - causal body
Types of Liṅgaśarīra[edit]
The sukṣma or the liṅga śarira comprises of sixteen parts. It is directly responsible for punarjanma or transmigration. The sixteen parts are:
- Five jñānendriyas - organs of knowledge like the eyes
- Five karmendriyas - organs of action like the hands
- Five prāṇas - vital airs like prāṇa and apāna
- Mind - including the buddhi or the intellect
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore