Annamaya Kosha

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Anna means food and maya means filled with.

Annamaya kosha represents the gross physical body.

According to this theory, the entire universe is a heap of food. Since this kosha is all about the modification of food, it is called annamaya kosha.

This sheath forms the gross body of an individual (Jiva). It is said to be the medium for the enjoyment of gross objects through the senses. All beings in the world are born from food, and having been born, they remain alive by consuming food. Existence of this sheath is only perceived in the awakened state.

Everything in this world is made up of anna (food). The gross body becomes food for other animals after death. We take food from the nature; for example, plants and animals are foods for us. From food, the animals and plants develop, and finally they become food for other beings.

Thus, anna is considered as ausadhi (medicine). Physical health depends upon the food that we eat. That means that one should examine the nature of the person, and their physical health, and accordingly the persons diet should be changed or modified to improve wellbeing. Food helps to maintain our health; therefore, it is a medicine.

This is the concept of the yogic diet. The gross body, which develops due to food, is the annamaya kosha. Because it is gross, through asana practices and a yogic diet one can easily cure the annamaya kosha and its related disorders.