Maya Kosha Vs Maslows Heirarchy of Needs
This topic was in my mind for last few
months, especially after a visit to Banglore, when my younger sibling was
talking about the Pancha Maya Kosha. My
younger brother is well versed in management and spiritualism/philosophy and
today he holds a key leadership position in a MNC organization.
In the discussion we noticed that
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs – Motivation theory had a linkage to Pancha Maya Kosha
of Hinduism, which was written and practiced much before Maslow’s theory came into place in 1943 “A theory of Human Motivation”.
Whereas the Hinduism had touched this topic much before the theory was shared
by Maslow.
The curiosity in me led to some
readings from the materials available online and this was an
enlightenment, which I wanted to share through my blog:
I.
Maya
Kosha:
The five sheaths
(Pancha-kosas) are alluded to in the fifteenth verse of Shankara's
ATMABODHA.:
1.
Annamaya
kosha, appearance due foodstuffs-sheath
(Anna)
2.
Pranamaya
kosha, appearance due energies-sheath
(Prana/apana)
3.
Manomaya
kosha appearance due mind-stuff-sheath (Manas)
4.
Vijnanamaya kosha,
appearance due wisdom-sheath (Vijnana)
5.
Anandamaya kosha,
appearance due bliss-sheath (Ananda
You may check the links given below to
understand each aspect of the Pancha Kosha.
1. Maya Kosha: 1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosha
2. Yoga
Therapy: http://yogauonline.com/yoga-therapy/115051509-pancha-maya-kosha-model-yoga-therapy-and-five-koshas
II.
Maslows Heirarchy of Needs:
Abraham Maslow came up with this theory in
1943 “A theory of human motivation”
The linking factors exists between Hinduism’s-
Pancha Maya Kosha and Maslow’s hierarchy of Needs.
1. Physiological
Need- Annaymaya kosha
2. Social Needs – Pranamaya Kosha- Please see the
comparison below.
3.
Love/Belonging Needs- Manomaya Kosha
4.
Esteem
Need –Vijnayanmaya Kosha
5.
Self actualization need.- Anandamaya Kosha.
The only difference between Maslow’s
hierarchy theory and Maya kosha is - the safety needs mentioned in Maslow’s
theory which talks about security of body, employment, resources, morality,
family, health and property. The Pranamaya Kosha in Pancha Kosha talks about
health, appearance and energy.
We assume that Maslow’s theory on
Social needs is closely related to Pranamaya Kosha of Hinduism, even though
Maslow has added few more elements to his theory.
Enlightenment:
1. The Hindu scriptures, philosophies etc do not
have a copy right or covered by any copy right acts, hence can be used by
anyone without an acknowledgement.
2. We know that the Indian’s were learned scholars
in every field, but we learn and accept faster when something is preached by
non-Indian.
The Objective of this blog is to create awareness that knowledge is available in Indian scriptures, philosophies, culture, spiritualism and Ithihasa's. Only the seeker will reach the goal- the Ultimate Truth.
