Gyanendriyan

Gyanendriya

Gyanendriya (ज्ञानेन्द्रिय jñānendriya) is a blended Sanskrit word. It is created by combining gyan (knowledge) and indriya (sense). There are five preceptory subtle senses. In each of these sense one panchtanmattra is predominant.

Each of the 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 sight is called karnendriya (कर्णेंद्रिय 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 or karna (कर्ण karṇa).

Touch

The sense of touch is called tavachendriya (त्वचेन्द्रिय tvacendriya). The vayu (air) element of panch mahabhootis 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 (त्वचा tvacā )

Sight

The sense of touch is called chakshuendriya (चक्षुइन्द्रिय 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 (चक्षु cakṣu)

Taste

The sense of touch is called rasendriya(रसेन्द्रिय रसना 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 (रसना rasanā)

Smell

The sense of touch is called nasika indriya (नासिका इन्द्रिय 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 (नासिका nāsikā).