Pancha Kanchukas are the five outer coverings or sheaths of
consciousness in Kashmir Shaiva Philosophy. The five Kanchukas are:
Kala
Vidya
Raga
Kaala and
Niyati.
The background on which the pancha kanchukas remain steadily
abiding is maya, the deluding aspect of Shiva, who is pure consciousness in
essence. When maya is counted under the Kanchukas, the number becomes six – Sat
Kanchukas.