Indriyas (इन्द्रियाणि)

Indriyas (इन्द्रियाणि) Indriya form one of the integral parts of the union called as ‘Ayu’ or Life of an individual. Indriyas refer to the organs that are essential for knowledge of outside world to the individual and perform actions in response to this knowledge gained from outside world to survive. Thus, Indriyas are correlated with Sense organs and motor organs of human body. They are total 11 in number.

Introduction Ayurveda offers the knowledge of methods for maintaining and enhancing Ayu (Life) of an individual. Ayu is defined as the close of union of 4 essential components namely, Sharira (Physical Body), Satva or Manas (Mind), Atman (Consciousness or life energy) and Indriyas (Sensory and motors organs). Thus, each and every component of this union is equally important for survival. Amongst these, Sharira and Indriyas are such components that connect individual’s life with the external world. Here, Indriyas are believed to perform the function of obtaining the knowledge of outside world and provide the essential stimulus or signal to the body or mind to perform necessary functions to survive in this world. Without Indriyas knowledge of outside world and performing any kind of action in response to these stimuli is not possible. Thus, these are considered the important tools of knowledge and action that work in close union with other 3 components viz. Shaira, Manas and Atman. Number and Types of Indriyas Total 11 Indriyas are described in Ayurveda and they are known as ‘Ekadasha Indriyani’. They are 5 Jnanendriyas (Sensory organs)- 5 Karmendriyas (Motor organs) & 1 Manas – Though Manas is a separate entity, it is also counted under Indriyas since it has a capacity to gain knowledge independently as well. It is the important link between Atman and Indriyas in the process of gaining any kind of knowledge. Moreover, it links with Jnanendriyas as well as karmendriyas by performing both the actions i.e. gaining the knowledge and deciding the response activity. Function of Indriyas Indriyas Indriyas Site/ Body part embedding Indriya Function Jnanendriyas Chakshu Indriya Eyes Knowledge of site Ghrana Indriya Nose Knowledge of Smell Shrotra Indriya Ears Knowledge of sound Rasana Indriya Tongue Knowledge of Taste Sprashana Indriya Skin Knowledge of Touch Karmendriyas Hasta Hands Holding/grasping/collecting Pada Legs Locomotion Guda Anus Excretion Upastha Sexual Organ/ Phallus Excretion/ Secretion Vak Speech Speaking/ expressing/ reacting

Jnanendriya ref- http://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/mediawiki-1.28.2/index.php?title=Indriyopakramaniya_Adhyaya#Indriya_pancha-panchaka_.28Five_pentads_of_sense_organs.29 KArmendriya ref: http://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/mediawiki-1.28.2/index.php?title=Katidhapurusha_Sharira#Functions_of_karmendriya_.28motor_organs.29

Dominance of element (Panchamahabhuta) in each Jnanendriya Indriyas Site/ Body part embedding Indriya Dominant basic element Chakshu Indriya Eyes Agni (Fire) Ghrana Indriya Nose Prthvi (Earth) Shrotra Indriya Ears Akasha (Space) Rasana Indriya Tongue Jalam (Water) Sprashana Indriya Skin Vayu (Air)