Human life lasts but a moment, it is a bubble on the waters. Upon this ephemerable bubble of life, man builds for himself a structure of desires and attachments. Wisdom warns him that it might collapse or crumble any moment. The supreme Atma, the Paramatma, that is unattached and free from embodiment, has taken up a body and become man. Viewed in gross terms, the body is a material encasement formed out of the food consumed, the Annamaya Kosa. Within this sheath, there lies the subtle sheaths of vital airs or Prana, the mental sheath, the sheath of the intellect and the innermost sheath of all - the sheath of Bliss, the Anandamaya Kosa.

This aphorism of sutra (thath thu Samanvayaaath) makes known that spiritual inquiry or Vicharana involves the journey from the Annamaya sheath as the basis to the Anandamaya stage and nature. However, the gross has two aspects - the dependent structure and the independent base.

In the current spiritual beliefs of mankind, one cannot discern anywhere a harmonising factor, a samanvaya. The principles of co-ordination and reconciliation have to be expanded and expounded. Though there are religions with separate names, and the doctrines are distinct from each other, considered as human all are men. The Sutra endeavours to emphasise the common core. Unfortunately, the apparent differences among the religions have subverted the amity of all men and the feeling of international brotherhood. The experience and wisdom of great seers who have unveiled the mystery of the Cosmos and their feelings of universal love are not appreciated, accepted and respected by men today. All religious dogmas except a few, can easily be harmonised and reconciled. The same God is being extolled and adored under various names through varied ceremonial rituals, in the many religions of man. In every age, for every race or community of peoples, God has sent prophets to establish peace and goodwill. Since, at the present time, many religions have spread worldwide, they have lost fraternal feelings and have suffered in validity thereby. There is an urgent need for harmony. All great men are images of God. They form one single caste in the realm of God; they belong to one nation, the Divine Fellowship. Each must interest himself in understanding the practices and beliefs of the others. Then only can every one, with cleansed mind and loving heart, attain the Divine Presence with others. The principle of harmonising or Samanvaya is the very heart of all religions and faiths.