Mano-Maya and Vijnana-Maya koshas are referred to collectively as the antah-karana, or the cognitive aspects of the human body. The Antah Karana are four in number: buddhi (intellect), manas (mind) ahankara (self-hood) and chitta (consciousness). In essence, the two sheaths collectively represent the mental reality of the body, the seat of the self, consciousness, intellect and mind.
Manas first encounters external stimuli from the senses automatically and passes this experience to the buddhi, that samples and arrays it against the subjective self-hood or ahankara. The chitta, or consciousness, contemplates the subjects of its thoughts, and dwells on it, in short, introspects.
The antah-karani are hence masters of the ten senses mentioned in Anna-Maya kosha. They are associated with power centres at the Ajna Chakra and a spot above it, and below the Sahasrara Chakra.
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