According to various esoteric, occult, and mystical teachings, living beings are constituted of a series of psycho-spiritual subtle bodies, each corresponding to a subtle plane of existence, in a hierarchy or great chain of being that culminates in the physical form.

It is known in different spiritual traditions; "the resurrection body" and "the glorified body" in Christianity, "the most sacred body" (wujud al-aqdas) and "supracelestial body" (jism asli haqiqi) in Sufism, "the diamond body" in Taoism and Vajrayana, "the light body" or "rainbow body" in Tibetan Buddhism, "the body of bliss" in Kriya Yoga, and "the immortal body" (soma athanaton) in Hermeticism.[1] The various attributes of the subtle body are frequently described in terms of often obscure symbolism: Tantra features references to the sun and moon as well as various Indian rivers and deities, while Taoist alchemy speaks of cauldrons and cinnabar fields.

Clairvoyants say that they can see the subtle bodies as an aura. The practice of astral projection, as described in various literature, is supposed to involve the separation of the subtle body from the physical.The theosophical movement was important in spreading such ideas throughout the West in the late nineteenth century. The existence of subtle bodies is unconfirmed by the scientific community.

Answered by Chandra , an ibibo Advisor, at 9:21 PM on August 17, 2008

after death the soul takes a body just like the original one as he is to be punished in yamaloka for his misdeeds.this body is sukshma body.

Answered by Ravichandran , an ibibo Advisor, at 2:12 PM on August 12, 2008

Dear My creation !

Apart from the answers given hereunder by the experts based on ancient scriptures ; Let me answer this question based on Modern scientific findings:

MODERN FINDINGS ABOUT "Sukshma-Sharira" / "AURA "Bioplasmic Body/ ENERGY BODY / ETHERIC BODY / ABHAMANDAL/Tejovalaya etc.

[1] In 1939 Semon Davidovich KIRLIYAN and his wife devoloped
KIRLIAN PHOTOGRAPHY based on high frequency electric field whic is used to take pictures of a portion of the INVISIBLE ENERGY BODY or the BIOPLASMIC BODY /Sukshma-sharira.

[2] At the highly respected Kirov State University in Alma-Ata, A group of
Biologists ,Bio-chemists and Biophysicists declared that the BIO-PLASMIC BODY IS NOT MERELY SOME SHORT OF PLASMA -like constellation of ionized, excited electrons , protones and possible some other particles but is a whole UNIFIED ORGANISM in itself which acts as a unit that gives of its own ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS.

[3] Based on the findings of the State UNIVRSITY OF KAZAKHISTAN,
the "ENERGY BODY " has a specific organizing pattern that determines
the form of organism. For instance, Dr. Alexander Studitsky of the INSTITUTE OF ANIMAL Morphology in MASCOW minced up muscle tissue and packed it into a wound in a rats body . An entirely new muscle was grown from this THEY CONCLUDED THAT THERE IS SOME SHORT OF ORGANISING PATTERN.

[4] If a man losses a finger or an arm , he still retains the bioplasmic finger or ARM so that some times he still feels it is still there,"

[5] Researches doen on Russian Psychic healers indicate that Psychic healing involves a transfer of energy from the Bioplasmic body of the healer to the bioplasmic body of is Patient.

And the Modern researches are going on on " SUKSHMA-SHARIRA."

However,
Ancient esoteric science says that sukshma sharira consists
[1] Pran maya kosha[2] Manomaya kosha [3] Gyanmaya kosha[4] Aanand maya KOSHA.
Annamaya kosha represents the visible physical body.

However,
All 11 major CHAKRA,S [ Modern findings] are located in the BIOPLASMIC DODY or SUKSHMA SHARIRA or AURA which common people do not know along with MERIDIANS OR BIOPLASMIC CHANNELS.

Thanks, with divine love and blessings..................... .............................. ......shiva.

Answered by SHIVA SHANKE , an ibibo Master, at 9:31 PM on August 01, 2008

As the energy body (sukshma sharira) becomes cleaned out, matures, empowered, and evolves then the practitioner may go to the reality of the subtle body to move the physical, to In the same way the astral or Sukshma body is within the gross or physical body. ... From the fourth ventricle it runs along the third, then the fifth ventricle The subtle body (Sukshma sarira or Sukshma sharira) in Vedantic philosophy is composed of five ... The "soul" then is not something one is born with, but something that one has to Yoga Nadis; Spinal Column; Sukshma Sarira; Kanda; Spinal Cord; Sushumna Nadi; Para-Sympathetic And ... rest as Chidrupini Shakti in the Sahasrara, the point of absolute rest; and then the body

Answered by bansi , an ibibo Master, at 5:42 AM on August 01, 2008

The physical body is shaped in accordance with the nature of the astral body. The physical body is something like water, Sthula form. When water is heated, the steam or vapour corresponds to the astral body. In the same way the astral or Sukshma body is within the gross or physical body. The gross body cannot do anything without the astral body. Every gross centre of the body has its astral centre.

Answered by SESHAN , an ibibo Master, at 11:38 AM on July 31, 2008

well,Sukshma sarira or subtle body is composed of five Kosas.The subtle body is the vehicle of consciousness with which one passes from life to life.The five kosas which constitute tht subtle body are 1. Annamaya kosha, food-apparent-sheath
2. Pranamaya kosha, air-apparent-sheath
3. Manomaya kosha, mind-stuff-apparent-sheath
4. Vijnanamaya kosha, wisdom-apparent-sheath(Vijnana )
5. Anandamaya kosha, bliss-apparent-sheath (Ananda)

Answered by Debashis , an ibibo Master, at 10:59 AM on July 31, 2008

Sukshma sarira or subtle body is composed of five Kosas.The subtle body is the vehicle of consciousness with which one passes from life to life.The five kosas which constitute tht subtle body are 1. Annamaya kosha, food-apparent-sheath
2. Pranamaya kosha, air-apparent-sheath
3. Manomaya kosha, mind-stuff-apparent-sheath
4. Vijnanamaya kosha, wisdom-apparent-sheath(Vijnana)
5. Anandamaya kosha, bliss-apparent-sheath (Ananda)

Answered by Shishir , an ibibo Master, at 9:18 AM on July 31, 2008

The 5 Jnanendriyas, the 5 Than-Maathras, the 5 Praanas, the Manas and the Buddhi - these 17 categories combine to constitute the subtle body.
source; http://vahini.org

Answered by Tingtong , an ibibo Master, at 11:07 PM on July 30, 2008