Sacred Atlas
UpanishadsChapter 7 · fol. VII
Hinduism

Chapter7Taittiriya Upanishad (The Sheaths)

◆ About this chapter

Chapter 7 of the Taittiriya Upanishad, known as the Sheath (Panchakosha) Sutra, systematically deconstructs human existence into five concentric layers ranging from the physical body to the innermost Self. This foundational text elucidates the relationship between the gross material world and the subtle spiritual reality, positing that the ultimate essence of life transcends the physical sheath of food to reside within the core of bliss. Situated within the broader Vedic corpus, this inquiry offers a profound metaphysical map for understanding the human condition without recourse to dogmatic assertion.

Translation:
About this translation
King James Version (1611)
1611 · Public domain

The most influential English translation ever made. Sometimes archaic, but the standard PD English text.

Translators commissioned by King James I of England, 1604–1611

From the Self, space was born. From space, air was born. From air, fire was born. From fire, water was born. From water, earth was born. 2From the Self, the sheath of food was born. From the sheath of food, the sheath of breath was born. From the sheath of breath, the sheath of mind was born.Divine Breath, Livin… 3From the sheath of mind, the sheath of knowledge was born. From the sheath of knowledge, the sheath of bliss was born. 4The sheath of food is the body. The sheath of breath is the life. The sheath of mind is the thought. The sheath of knowledge is the intellect. 5The sheath of bliss is the Self. It is the Self. It is the Self. It is the Self. 6He who knows the Self as the sheath of bliss, he is the Self. He is the Self. He is the Self. 7He who knows the Self as the sheath of knowledge, he is the Self. He is the Self. He is the Self. 8He who knows the Self as the sheath of mind, he is the Self. He is the Self. He is the Self.

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