Excerpts of concepts from Acharya Shree Mahapragya ji's explanation of cognition and subtle things

Physiology

Body types

More into in can be seen in Detecting sukshm stuff

1. Audarika Sharira (Physical / Gross Body)

• The dense, biological body made of flesh, blood, and bones.
• Who has it: Humans, animals, plants, and all microscopic organisms (ekindriya).
• Key Feature: It is subject to birth, disease, aging, and death. It is the only body visible to normal human eyes.

2. Vaikriya Sharira (Transformable / Protean Body)

• What it is: A fluid, non-biological body that can change shape, size, and form at will (e.g., becoming massive, tiny, invisible, or multiplying).
• Who has it: Heavenly beings (devas) and hellish beings (narakis) possess it by birth. Advanced ascetics can develop it through intense spiritual powers (labdhis).
• Key Feature: It does not contain flesh, blood, or bones, and it never gets old or diseased.

3. Aharaka Sharira (Communication / Projective Body)

• What it is: A tiny, pure, white form projected directly from the soul.
• Who has it: Created only by highly advanced spiritual masters (Ahara-kevali or Chaturdash-purvi saints).
• Key Feature: It is used to travel instantly across the universe to resolve deep spiritual doubts by visiting an omniscient Tirthankara, while the physical body remains stationary in meditation.

4. Tejas Sharir (Fiery / Electric Body)

• What it is: An energy body made of subtle thermal or electric matter (tejas molecules).
• Who has it: All unliberated souls possess this continuously.
• Key Feature: It manages internal digestion, body heat, and metabolic functions. In rare cases of powerful mystics, it can be projected to bless/heal or curse/destroy.

5. Karman Sharir (Karmic Body)

• What it is: The subtlest layer, composed entirely of stored karmic particles (karman vargana) attached to the soul due to past actions, desires, and attachments.
• Who has it: All unliberated souls without exception.
• Key Feature: It serves as the "blueprint" or seed for future lifetimes. It never leaves the soul during death; along with the Taijasa body, it migrates with the soul into the next reincarnation.

Psychology

Natural stages of cognition:

1. Avagraha (अवग्रह) — initial perception
2. iha (ईहा) — investigation
3. Avaya (अवाय) — definite judgement
4. Dharana (धारणा) — retention in memory. Dharana eventually becomes:
   • Vasana
   • Sanskar
   • Memory (स्मृति) when triggered later.
     Part of Karma Types and Subtypes#1.1.1. Shrut Nishrit mati gyaan (336)