Gyanendriya-Five senses
The five senses in scriptures are called gyanendriya (Devanagari: ज्ञानेन्द्रिय ISO15919: jñānendriya). It is a blended Sanskrit word created by combining gyan which means knowledge and indriya which means sense.
Each of these preceptory subtle senses originate from one panchtanmattra.
Each panchtanmattra creates one of the panch mahabhoot. So each subtle sense has kinship with its related panch mahabhoot. That is why each sense can perceive only one of the bhoot.
Gyanendriya are preceptory and are considered superior to the karmendriyan.
There are five senses
Hearing
The sense of hearing is called karnendriya (Devanagari: कर्णेंद्रिय ISO15919: karṇeṁdriya karṇa).
The akaasha (space) element of panch mahabhoot is prominent in the construction of this sense. That is why this sense has the ability to perceive sound. This sense lives inside the ear called karna (Devanagari: कर्ण ISO15919: karṇa).
Touch
The sense of touch is called tavachendriya (Devanagari: त्वचेन्द्रिय ISO15919: tvacendriya). The vayu (air) element of panch mahabhoot is prominent in the construction of this sense. That is why this sense has the ability to perceive touch. This sense lives inside the skin or tavacha (Devanagari: त्वचा ISO15919: tvacā) |
Sight
The sense of touch is called chakshuendriya (Devanagari: चक्षुइन्द्रिय ISO15919: cakṣu indriya).
The tej (light) element of panch mahabhoot is prominent in the construction of this sense. That is why this sense has the ability to perceive form. This sense lives inside the eyes or chakshu (Devanagari: चक्षु ISO15919: cakṣu).
Taste
The sense of touchis called rasendriya(Devanagari: रसेन्द्रिय रसना ISO15919: rasendriya). The jal (water) element of panch mahabhoot is prominent in the construction of this sense. That is why this sense has the ability to perceive taste. This sense lives inside the tongue or rasana (Devanagari: रसना ISO15919: rasanā).
Smell
The sense of touch is called nasika indriya (Devanagari: नासिका इन्द्रिय ISO15919: nāsikā indriya). The pritvi (earth) element of panch mahabhoot is prominent in the construction of this sense. That is why this sense has the ability to perceive smell. This sense lives inside the nose or nasika (Devanagari: नासिका ISO15919: nāsikā).
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