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The term “indriya” refers to the sensory faculties (jnanendriya) (SAT-B.192) and motor faculties (karmendriya) (SAT-B.186) along with the internal system of perception of knowledge. Ayurveda describes the concept of indriya in a broader perspective than the structural presence of sense organs like eyes, ears, nose, skin, and tongue. Each sense has a capacity to connect with the consciousness and develop as a super sense in the presence of mind and soul. Intellect is also involved in the process of perception. This article describes the holistic concept of indriya and its contemporary utility in the preservation of health.
The term “indriya” refers to the sensory faculties (jnanendriya) (SAT-B.192) and motor faculties (karmendriya) (SAT-B.186) along with the internal system of perception of knowledge. Ayurveda describes the concept of indriya in a broader perspective than the structural presence of sense organs like eyes, ears, nose, skin, and tongue. Each sense has a capacity to connect with the consciousness and develop as a super sense in the presence of mind and soul. Intellect is also involved in the process of perception. This article describes the holistic concept of indriya and its contemporary utility in the preservation of health.
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==Etymology, derivation and synonyms ==
==Etymology, derivation, and synonyms ==
The Sanskrit word Indriya means – “ that which is related to, or originated from ‘indra’ or created by the supreme power”. It means prana or vital life force. [Chakrapani on Cha.Sa.Indriya Sthana 1/1-2] Indriya is the entity that works in the presence of mind and consciousness to perceive any knowledge or memories.
The Sanskrit word Indriya means – “ that which is related to, or originated from ‘indra’ or created by the supreme power”. It means prana or vital life force. [Chakrapani on Cha.Sa.[[Indriya Sthana]] 1/1-2].
The word indriya is denoted by synonyms like hrushikam, vishayi, aksham, karanam, and grahanam. All these terms refer to the sensory and motor faculty along with their internal processing system.
Indriya is the entity that works in the presence of mind and consciousness to perceive any knowledge or memories.
The word indriya is denoted by synonyms like hrushikam, vishayi, aksham, karanam, and grahanam. All these terms refer to the sensory and motor faculty along with their internal processing system.
== Meanings in different contexts: ==
== Meanings in different contexts: ==
*The term indriya is also used to denote the semen virile (shukra). It also indicates any powerful act or bodily power.
*The presence of “indriya” is the criteria to determine the presence of consciousness (chetana) in a substance. [Cha. Sa. [[Sutra Sthana]] 1/48]
*The terms Indriya and [[Atma]] are used interchangeably in some contexts. [Cha. Sa. [[Sutra Sthana]] 8/18]
*The term indriya mainly refers to the sensory faculties. [Cha. Sa. [[Sutra Sthana]] 8/14] They are considered as the instruments (karana) for the knowledge in the form of direct perception (pratyaksha jnana). [Cha. Sa. [[Vimana Sthana]] 4/4]
==Types or classification ==
==Types or classification ==
Indriya are mainly classified into three categories:
Indriya are mainly classified into three categories:
a) Five sensory faculties (pancha jnanendriyani) - which include
'''a)Five sensory faculties (pancha jnanendriyani)''' - which include
*Auditory faculty (shrotrendriya)
*Tactile faculty(sparshanendriya)
*Visual faculty(chakshurindriya)
*Gustatory faculty(rasanendriya)
b) Five motor faculties (pancha karmendriyani)-which include
*Olfactory faculty(ghranendriya)[Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 8/8]
b)'''Five motor faculties (pancha karmendriyani)'''-which include
*Upper limbs and faculties regulating activities accomplished by it (hasta)
*Lower limbs and faculties regulating activities accomplished by it (pada)
*Rectum and associated faculties (guda)
*Primary and secondary sex organs with faculties controlling its activities (upastha)
*Tongue with peripheral speech apparatus and associated faculties (vagindriya)
[ Cha. Sa. Sharira Sthana 1/25-26]
[ Cha. Sa. Sharira Sthana 1/25-26]
c) Internal faculty (antah karana) - internal system of perception and cognition. It includes the inputs from the sensory faculties and their processing by mind (manas), intellect (buddhi) and ego (ahamkara).
Mind (manas) is known as supreme faculty (atindriya) or dual faculty (ubhayendriya) which is having control over both sensory as well as motor faculties. [ A.S.Sharira Sthana 5/44]
c)'''Internal faculty (antah karana)''' - internal system of perception and cognition. It includes the inputs from the sensory faculties and their processing by the mind (manas), intellect (buddhi), and ego (ahamkara).
Mind (manas) is known as supreme faculty (atindriya) or dual faculty (ubhayendriya) which is having control over both sensory as well as motor faculties. [A.S.Sharira Sthana 5/44]
===Formation of indriya===
===Formation of indriya===
'''Panchchabhautika constitution'''
Indriya are formed from the five greater elements ([[panchamahabhuta]]). So, each of them has affinity towards particular sense of perception in an object which is having similar elemental constitution. [Su. Sa. Sharira Sthana 1/15]
Indriya are formed from the five greater elements ([[panchamahabhuta]]). So, each of them has an affinity towards a particular sense of perception in an object which is having a similar elemental constitution. [Su. Sa. Sharira Sthana 1/15]
E.g.: visual faculty (chakshurindriya) have affinity towards the visual aspect of an object. So, it receives the signals about colour, size and shape of an object and transmit this information to the respective higher centre (chakshurindriya budhi)
E.g.: visual faculty (chakshurindriya) have an affinity towards the visual aspect of an object. So, it receives the signals about colour, size, and shape of an object and transmit this information to the respective higher center (chakshurindriya budhi)
*In embryonic development, indriya formation happens during the third month. [Cha.Sa.[[Sharira Sthana]] 4/11]
===Special locations of Indriya===
===Special locations of Indriya===
In human body each sensory faculty (indriya) is located in particular area with predominance of the particular [[mahabhuta]].
In the human body, each sensory faculty (indriya) is located in a particular area with a predominance of the particular [[mahabhuta]].
The only exception for this is tactile faculty (sparshanendriya) which is spread all over the body.
The only exception for this is tactile faculty (sparshanendriya) which is spread all over the body.
Pentad of senses (Indriya pancha-panchak)
Pentad of senses (Indriya pancha-panchak)
Indriya
Indriya
===Weakness of indriya (indriya daurbalya) ===
===Weakness of indriya (indriya daurbalya) ===
The indriya become weak and less efficient due to abnormal increase of [[pitta]] [[dosha]] and decrease of [[vata]] and [[kapha]] dosha. [Cha. Sa. Sutra Sthana 17/60], [Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 15 /13]. The weakness may be either due to anatomical abnormality of the structural abode of these faculties or the functional abnormality in their controlling system. [Dalhana, Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 15 /13].
The indriya become weak and less efficient due to abnormal increase of [[pitta]] [[dosha]] and decrease of [[vata]] and [[kapha]] dosha. [Cha. Sa. Sutra Sthana 17/60], [Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 15 /13]. The weakness may be either due to anatomical abnormality of the structural abode of these faculties or the functional abnormality in their controlling system. [Dalhana, Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 15 /13].
The important cause of this condition is consumption of incompatible foods (viruddha ahara). [Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 20/19]. Studies have shown that dietary intake of green leafy vegetables, glycaemic index, and omega-3 fatty acid, as well as overall dietary pattern can influence the risk factors of visual impairment. Low intakes of fat and protein have been associated with hearing discomfort.
===Complete functional loss of indriya ===
===Complete functional loss of indriya ===
When abnormally increased [[vata]] [[dosha]] affects the sensory faculties, they have a total loss of function (indriya vadha). [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 28/29], [Su. Sa. Nidana Sthana 1/24]
When abnormally increased [[vata]] [[dosha]] affects the sensory faculties, they have a total loss of function (indriya vadha). [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 28/29], [Su. Sa. Nidana Sthana 1/24]