Who Are the Ghosts? Exploring the Vedic Perspective on Life Beyond Death

On this blog,

I typically write about two core themes: spirituality and geopolitics. These topics either explore the tangible dynamics of the world around us or delve into the mystical realms beyond the material universe. Today’s article falls into the second category—it’s about that unseen dimension which, although often neglected, is deeply intertwined with our own inner reality.

When we speak about the unknown, there are countless instances where individuals report encountering energies or entities that seem to connect them to a reality far removed from the ordinary. Surprisingly, this "unknown world" isn’t somewhere outside of us—it lies within us. We are part of this hidden realm, though most of us remain unaware or even consciously avoid acknowledging it. It is not because it doesn’t exist, but often because our scientific rationality is ill-equipped to deal with phenomena that transcend the senses.

Science and the Supernatural: Where Logic Ends

Modern science relies on observation, experimentation, and empirical evidence. It progresses by constantly questioning, revising, and refining its understanding of reality. Even long-established theories can be discarded when new evidence emerges. This openness to evolution is science’s greatest strength.

However, science also has its limitations. When it comes to matters that extend beyond the five senses—like the supernatural realm, afterlife, or consciousness beyond death—science finds itself in a position of helplessness. It can describe the biological processes of dying, such as the cessation of the heart and brain, but it cannot account for what lies beyond death, nor can it address the subjective or spiritual dimensions of the soul’s journey.

This is where ancient Vedic wisdom steps in, not as a replacement for science, but as a parallel framework to understand aspects of existence that current scientific paradigms cannot reach.

Vedic Insights: The Pancha Kosha Theory

To understand life, death, and the concept of ghosts, it is essential to explore the Pancha Kosha theory from the Taittiriya Upanishad, an ancient Sanskrit text embedded within the Yajurveda.

The Yajurveda is not only spiritual in nature but also contains knowledge related to medicine, agriculture, and astronomy. It describes various diseases, medicinal herbs, and surgical procedures. Intriguingly, it even touches on astronomical concepts such as the Earth's rotation and a heliocentric solar system, centuries before such ideas became mainstream in modern science. While many aspects of the Vedas have been verified through scientific research, several remain beyond the reach of current technology and understanding, reminding us that lack of proof is not proof of non-existence.

According to the Pancha Kosha (Five Sheaths) theory, the human body is composed of five interwoven layers, each dependent on the others:

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1. Annamaya Kosha – The Physical Body

This is the outermost sheath—the material body made up of food. It begins forming in the mother’s womb from the nourishment she consumes and continues to grow through our own dietary intake. It is essentially a heap of food, temporary, perishable, and recycled back into nature upon death.

2. Pranamaya Kosha – The Vital Life Force

This layer consists of Prana—the vital energy that manages all bodily functions, especially those related to air and pressure. It includes the five Vayus (life winds):

• Prana – Responsible for inhalation
• Apana – Governs excretion and reproduction
• Samana – Manages digestion
• Udana – Controls speech and upward movement of energy
• Vyana – Circulates energy throughout the body

When Prana departs, a person is declared biologically dead.

3. Manomaya Kosha – The Mental Layer

This sheath holds our emotions, memories, and the subconscious mind. Memory is not only stored in the brain but also, as recent science is beginning to recognize, at the cellular level.

4. Vijnanamaya Kosha – The Intellect and Ego

This layer brings forth analytical thinking, wisdom, and individual ego. It is the source of the duality—the “I” versus “you” experience—and helps us navigate decision-making and discernment.

5. Anandamaya Kosha – The Bliss Sheath

The most subtle and least understood of all, this sheath resides at the core of our being. It is associated with divine bliss, transcendental ecstasy, and spiritual unity. Even the great Vedic seers could only describe it in abstract terms, often referring to it as the presence of the Supreme Consciousness within which brings bliss and ecstasy.

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Death: A Layered Separation, Not a Cessation

According to modern science, death is defined as the cessation of bodily functions, especially those governed by the Pranamaya Kosha, such as heartbeat, breath, and brain activity. But Vedic wisdom sees death differently: it is not the end of existence, but rather the dissolution or separation of the five koshas.

Upon death:

• The Annamaya Kosha returns to nature, decaying into soil, water, and air, continuing the ecological cycle.
• The Pranamaya Kosha, being energy, dissipates into the surrounding atmosphere.
• The Manomaya, Vijnanamaya, and Anandamaya Koshas together form what is often called the subtle body or sukshma sharira.

In most cases, after old age death, where the body slowly approaches its end, the mental and intellectual sheaths become dormant, as though in a deep, dreamless sleep. But under certain unnatural conditions of death—such as sudden accidents, suicides, or violent ends, the memory and intellect may remain partially active. The strong attachments, desires, or traumas prevent the complete disintegration of the subtle body.

Who Are the Ghosts?

In such rare scenarios, the unresolved energies—consisting of preserved memory (Manomaya), partial intellect (Vijnanamaya), and the subtle core (Anandamaya)—form what we colloquially call ghosts or spirits. In Sanskrit, these entities are called Bhutas, which literally means “past beings.”

The term Bhuta is not inherently negative—it simply refers to beings of the past, those who no longer belong to the living world yet are not fully liberated. These entities, driven by residual impressions and unfulfilled karmas, can sometimes interact with the living, usually through subtle means, influencing thoughts, emotions, or even appearing in dreams.

However, these interactions are generally limited and often cause confusion, fear, or curiosity. The Vedic tradition does not sensationalize ghosts but views them as souls in transition, either awaiting rebirth or release.

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The Hidden Realms Within

Understanding ghosts requires a deeper understanding of ourselves. We are not just a body; we are a multi-layered being with dimensions that far exceed the physical. The Vedic rishis, through meditation and deep inquiry, unveiled these layers and offered a framework to understand life, death, and the afterlife.

While modern science has made incredible advances, it still stands at the threshold of the metaphysical. Until it evolves instruments sensitive enough to measure the subtle layers of existence, spiritual traditions like Vedanta offer profound insights into questions that remain unanswered by material tools.

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In my next article, I will explore the different types of ghosts in greater detail, because not all spirits are the result of physical death. Some are consciously created through rituals, intentions, or spiritual distortions and some are created by this divine universe for a certain purpose. Stay tuned.

By Pradeep Mahaur – Pradeep Mahaur Magazine

Insights on Hindu Wisdom and Global Affairs from an Indic perspective.