Indriyas (इन्द्रियाणि)

Indriyas (इन्द्रियाणि)

Indriyas form one of the integral parts of the union called as ‘Ayu’ (Life) of an individual. Indriyas refer to the organs that are essential for knowledge of outside world 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. Among 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 described as follows,

Jnanendriyas (Sensory organs)

These are the Indriyas responsible for generating stimuli for gaining knowledge through 5 senses of sight, smell, sound, touch and taste. These are 5 in number and as follows,

1. Chakshu Indriya
2. Ghrana Indriya
3. Shrotra Indriya
4. Rasana Indriya
5. Sprashana Indriya

Dominance of element (Panchamahabhuta) in each Jnanendriya

Ayurveda believes that all Indriyas are composed of 5 basic elements. Although each Indriya has all 5 basic elements in it, there exists dominance of 1 particular element in each Jnanendriya. This dominance is responsible for specific action of that Indriya and thus understanding this association is important in order to comprehend the health and diseased status of anyone of these Indriyas.

Association of Jnanendriyas with Panchamahabhutas (5 Basic elements)

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)

Karmendriyas (Motor organs)

These type of Indriyas are responsible to perform appropriate actions as a response to any generated stimulus. There are 5 such Indriyas and are listed as follows,

1. Hasta
2. Pada
3. Guda
4. Upastha
5. Vak

Manas

It is 1 in number. Also known as Satvam. 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. Thus, it is called as Ubhayatmakam (Capable of performing both types of actions) Indriyam.

Function of Indriyas

All types of Indriyas perform specific action vital for the survival of the Individual in this world. Each Indriya is assigned exclusive action and this is called as the function of that Indriya. Since Manas can perform varied types of activities owing to its unique nature and role it is not listed in the table below. Refer Manas for details.

FUNCTIONS 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

Significance of Indriyas in Life

All the objects can be classified as animate and inanimate. The basis for this classification is not presence or absence of atman (soul) in specific objects. Because atma is described as vibhu (ubiquitous, i.e. present everywhere). But the presence of atman is manifested through sense organs. Therefore, presence or absence of indriya (sense organs) is taken as the base for classification of animate and inanimate objects.

सेन्द्रियं चेतनं द्रव्यं, निरिन्द्रियमचेतनम्|| (Char. Samh. 1.1.48)

sendriyaṁ cetanaṁ dravyaṁ, nirindriyamacetanam||

Sense organs here do not refer to only externally known organs like eyes, ears etc. Indriya are subtle and therefore imperceptible entities. Externally known organs like eyes, ears etc. are just their tools. E.g. plants do not exhibit external sensory organs like eyes etc., but they have all the sensations which are realized by subtle indriya present internally. It is significant to note that it was known to ancient Indian scholars, and also to Ayurvedic physicians specially, that plants do possess sensations like photosensitivity, auditory, taste, olfactory and tactile sensation i.e. all five sensations