Liṅga-śarīra

Liṅga-śarīra is a compound Sanskrit word from liṅga (लिङ्ग), in this context interpreted as "mark, image"; and śarīra (शरीर) "body". In Theosophical literature this term is used to name the second (sometimes third) principle of the human beings. This is "the double" of the physical body, frequently called astral body by H. P. Blavatsky. This principle should not be confused with the Hindu Linga sharira, which is frequently used as a synonym for the Sūkṣma Śarīra, the subtle body that accompanies the individual soul in all its transmigrations and is not destroyed by death, till the individualized soul is finally merged in the Universal.

General description

Mme. Blavatsky wrote:

This term designates the döppelganger or the “astral body” of man or animal. It is the eidolon of the Greeks, the vital and prototypal body; the reflection of the men of flesh. It is born before and dies or fades out, with the disappearance of the last atom of the body.

Astral Body, or Astral “Double”. The ethereal counterpart or shadow of man or animal. The Linga Sharira, the “Doppelganger”. The reader must not confuse it with the ASTRAL SOUL, another name for the lower Manas, or Kama-Manas.

This subtle body "is composed of highly etherialized matter; in its habitual passive state, the perfect but very shadowy duplicate of the body; its activity, consolidation and form depending entirely on the kama rupa." It can be projected outside the physical body and affected by physical matter, especially sharp instruments:

This ethereal Body, built outside the Sthûla-Śarîra, is the Liṅga-Śarîra, properly so termed . . . This Liṅga-Śarîra is united to the physical Body by an umbilical cord, a material cord, and cannot therefore travel very far from it. It may be hurt by a sharp instrument, and would not face a sword or bayonet, although it can easily pass through a table or other piece of furniture. When swords are struck at Shades, it is the sword itself, not its Liṅga-Śarîra, or Astral that cuts. Sharp instruments alone can penetrate such Astrals; thus, under water, a blow with a blunt object would not affect you so much as a cut would.

Etheric Double

Annie Besant (and after her, most authors in the Theosophical Society (Adyar)) decided to denominate the Linga Sarira as "Etheric Double":

The Linga Sharira, the astral body, the ethereal body, the fluidic body, the double, the wraith, the döppelganger, the astral man – such are a few of the many names which have been given to the second principle in man’s constitution. The best name is the Etheric Double, because this term designates the second principle only, suggesting its constitution and appearance: whereas the other names have been used somewhat generally to describe bodies formed of some more subtle matter than that which affects our physical senses, without regard to the question whether other principles were or were not involved in their construction. I shall therefore use this name throughout.

Tibetan Buddhism and the "Lha Body"

In Tibetan medicine and astrology the concept of the Lha Body is very similar to that of the Linga Sharira. According to Dr. Pasang Y. Arya, the Lha body is subtle shadow or reflection of the physical a body. It can hardly be seen with the naked eye and is very important to the physical health, since it nourishes and gives energy to the physical body. The natural shape and form of the Lha body is exactly like that of the physical body and therefore they can be thought as dual bodies.

After death consciousness leaves the physical and Lha bodies and continues its journey. The Lha stays on the earth, still bearing the person’s shape, until the physical body becomes fully decayed. If the physical the body is cremated, the Lha has a very little chance to remain much longer.

Further reading

• Etheric Double at Theosopedia