Panchadashi – Panchakosha-viveka-prakarana

Panchadashi, the renowned composition of Sri Bharati Tirtha and Swami Vidyaranya, is a compendium of 15 foundational treatises or prakarana-granthas. This epic work is a singular treatise on the entire philosophy of Advaita-vedanta. By providing the complete grasp of the essentials of Vedanta, Panchadashi amply serves to dispel the ignorance of the Self.

In the third chapter, titled ‘Panchakosha-viveka’, the author expounds the nature of the ultimate Reality using the methodology of the analysis of the five sheaths (koshas) employed in the Taittiriya-upanishad. Through this analysis, it is clearly shown that the Self is different from the sheaths.

Our essential nature is not completely unknown, but is mistaken as one or more of the five sheaths. Hence an analysis of the sheaths is deemed essential to remove the wrong conceptions with respect to our true Self.

Swami Vidyaranya, the author, enumerates in detail the nature of the five sheaths and through logic and reasoning establishes how the Self is not any of the five sheaths. The author while describing the sheaths skillfully explores and explains these personality layers and points out the erroneous self-identification that we have with each of them.

Having shown the Self to be different from the five sheaths, Swami Vidyaranya thereafter explains the essential nature of the Self to be Satyam, Jnanam and Anantam. The possible objections pertaining to this nature of the Self are refuted through logic and specific Upanishadic citations that support their negation.

The nature of Ishvara and His power of maya is analysed in the final section. It is then shown that the Self, which is the illuminator of the five sheaths, is truly the substratum of the entire world. Brahman alone appears as both: the Creator Ishvara and the individual jiva. The identity of jiva and Ishvara from the standpoint of their substratum is thus established.

A total of 33 video sessions by Swami Advayananda , divided into 9 lessons, covering the entire third chapter, are made available to the registered participants.

What You will Learn

• A detailed understanding of the various layers of our personality through the analysis of the five sheaths
• Analysis of the various wrong notions we have of ourselves and their removal with the support of logical reasoning and scriptural declarations
• The assertion of our real nature
• A detailed understanding of the true nature of the Self as Satyam, Jnanam and Anantam
• Analysis of Ishvara and the world
• One’s identity with God

Why should I do this Course?

Each chapter of Panchadashi is an independent topical text. One need not complete the earlier chapter to proceed to the next. Each chapter adapts a different methodology to reveal the same Truth.

The world and God are not completely different from us. In order to come to this understanding, one must understand one’s true nature, and the Truth behind this world and God. Using the methodology of ‘panchakosha-viveka’, the misconceptions we have about ourselves are dispelled and the Self’s identity with God and the world is shown.

Requirements

• Basic knowledge of Vedanta would be helpful, though not mandatory
• Good internet connection

Course Details and Duration

• The course comprises 9 lessons covering 33 audio/video sessions and 14 objective type questionnaires.
• The recommended duration for completion of the Panchadashi-Panchakosha-viveka-prakarana course is 7 months. The suggested maximum duration is 13 months.

Course Access, Query Resolution Process, Grading and Certification

• Students can access the course following the User Guideline document that is also sent to registered students to their email address.
• Students have to attempt the lessons sequentially. For each lesson the student should watch the audio or video file and then attempt the questionnaire.
• All questionnaires are objective based and on completion of each Lesson/ questionnaire the marks and grade for that lesson will be displayed to the student on the dashboard.
• Students can download the answer key on completion of a questionnaire.
• In case of queries or doubts on the subject matter students are encouraged to use the discussion forum. Details of the same will be sent to students on registration. A detailed query resolution process guideline will also be provided.
• The Course is deemed complete on completion of all lessons /questionnaires, and a final grade will be awarded.
• Grading system for certification.
• 80% and above 'O' Grade
• 60% and above 'A+' Grade
• 50% and above 'A' Grade
• Below 50% 'B' Grade

• Those who successfully complete the course will be given a ‘Course Completion Certificate’ of merit signed by Pujya Swami Swaroopananda, Head of Chinmaya Mission worldwide. The digital copy of the same will be sent to your registered email ID.

How do I purchase the Text?

Students are recommended to purchase a copy of the entire Panchadashi, containing the verses and translation in English by Swami Swahananda, published by the Ramakrishna Mission.

Central Chinmaya Mission Trust (CCMT) has published the entire Panchadashi with commentary in Hindi by Swami Shankarananda. Those who are familiar with Hindi will immensely benefit from this publication.

To purchase a copy of Panchadashi – Chapter 3 with commentary in Hindi:

1. Check this link: Panchadashi – Chapter 3 (Hindi)
Or
2. Contact: Sri M. Jayaraman Nair

   In-charge, Chinmaya Vani, Chinmaya International Foundation (CIF)
   Ph: +91 92077 11138 / WhatsApp: 9207398313/ Email id: cifpublications@chinfo.org

A soft copy of the verses will also be made available to all the registered students on the dashboard to be referred to in case of non-availability of the book.

Course Content

The course on Panchadashi – Chapter 3 (Panchakosha-viveka) comprises of 9 lessons. A brief description of what is covered in each lesson is given below:

• Lesson 1: Brahman and the Five Sheaths
• Lesson 2: Nature of Annamaya and Prāṇamaya-kośas and their Negation
• Lesson 3: Nature of Manomaya- and Vijñānamaya-kośas and their Negation
• Lesson 4: Nature of Ānandamaya-kośa and its Negation
• Lesson 5: The Self is Self-effulgent
• Lesson 6: Self – The Non-objectified Presence
• Lesson 7: Nature of the Self as Jnanam
• Lesson 8: Self as Satyam and Anantam
• Lesson 9: Brahman as Ishvara and Jiva
• Recorded Q&A Sessions by Swami Advayananda

Click here for a detailed Course Content

Course Contributors

Arvind Kannan

Brni. Shubhani Chaitanya

Sumedha Kulkarni

Home Study Course Scholarship Initiative

Envisioned to be a platform to impart knowledge, CIF has always made it a point to make the courses accessible to all the sincere seekers. Students, who are keen to pursue a particular course but have difficulty affording the course fee, can send an email to the homestudycourses@chinfo.org stating the same. They will be given financial assistance to enrol for the course based on the genuineness of request, keenness to study and eligibility.

One can also be a part of this noble venture by contributing to the Home Study Course Scholarship Fund. To know more, send an email to the homestudycourses@chinfo.org.

For Queries