Conceptualizing Student Engagement through the Panchakosha Framework: A Holistic Theoretical Model for Secondary Education

This theoretical paper introduces a novel framework for understanding and fostering student engagement by mapping the ancient Indian Panchakosha philosophy onto modern psychological constructs. It posits that student engagement is a holistic state influenced by five interconnected dimensions: physical (Annamaya), energetic (Pranamaya), mental-emotional (Manomaya), intellectual (Vijnanamaya), and spiritual/bliss (Anandamaya). Synthesizing literature from educational psychology and holistic education, this paper presents a theoretical model illustrating how nurturing each kosha can cultivate robust student engagement. This interdisciplinary approach addresses a critical gap by offering a comprehensive, culturally integrated perspective. The paper provides educators, researchers, and policymakers with a framework for fostering students who are not only academically proficient but also resilient, purposeful, and joyful. This work is conceptual; it does not contain empirical data but provides clear directions for future validation studies.