What are the senses according to Hinduism?
What Are the Senses According to Hinduism? Discover the Inner and Outer Tools of Perception
The Five Jnanendriyas: Sense Organs of Knowledge
In Hindu philosophy, especially in the Samkhya and Vedanta traditions, there are five primary senses known as jnanendriyas (literally, “organs of knowledge”). They’re not just physical tools—they’re gateways between the self and the universe. Kinda wild if you think about it.
Hearing (Shrotra)
Linked to the ears, hearing is associated with space (Akasha). It’s the most subtle of the five senses and is the first to emerge in cosmic evolution. That’s probably why mantras are such a big deal—they travel through sound, not sight.
Touch (Tvak)
Touch is related to the skin and the element of air (Vayu). Ever felt a breeze and suddenly got chills for no reason? That’s tvak in action—perceiving the subtlest sensations, often before the mind even catches up.
Sight (Chakshu)
The eyes, connected with fire (Agni), give us form, color, and all that jazz. In Hindu rituals, darshan—the act of seeing and being seen by a deity—is considered powerful. Like, literally spiritually transformative. Go figure.
Taste (Rasana)
This one’s via the tongue and linked to water (Apas). Food isn’t just nutrition in Hinduism—it’s prasada, sacred. So yeah, licking a spoon during puja prep? Maybe think twice.
Smell (Ghrana)
Tied to the nose and the earth element (Prithvi). Smell is the most “gross” or material of the five senses—and yet, it's super primal. Why else would incense be everywhere in temples?
The Five Karmendriyas: Organs of Action
Now here’s where things get funky. Hinduism splits senses into two categories—those for receiving knowledge (jnanendriyas) and those for performing action (karmendriyas). Think of it as input vs output.
Speech (Vak)
Not just for talking nonsense. Speech is sacred—Om, Vedic chants, sacred texts—all rely on this karmendriya.
Hands (Pani)
The tool for giving, taking, creating, destroying. Handy? Absolutely. Pun intended.
Feet (Pada)
Movement is life, and feet are the vehicle. In fact, touching someone’s feet in respect (pranāma) isn’t just tradition—it’s symbolic of grounding humility.
Reproduction (Upastha)
Yeah, this one's about sensual pleasure and reproduction. But it’s also tied to creativity and the continuation of life. Definitely not taboo in classical texts (though, yeah, society changed that a bit later).
Excretion (Payu)
Even this is sacred. The removal of waste is considered a function of divine order. The body knows what to let go of—even if we emotionally… don’t.
Beyond the Physical: The Inner Senses
Hold up—there’s more. Hinduism doesn’t stop at the obvious.
The Mind (Manas) as a Sense Organ
Manas is considered the “sixth sense” in many texts. It coordinates the inputs from all the other senses. So if you’ve ever misheard something while distracted—blame manas. It got overloaded.
The Buddhi, Ahamkara, and Chitta
These are higher functions:
Buddhi = intellect (judgment and discernment)
Ahamkara = ego (sense of “I”)
Chitta = memory or consciousness storage
They work together like a cosmic control panel. Messy? Sometimes. But essential for the soul’s journey.
Why Does This Matter?
Not Just Philosophy—A Path to Liberation
Understanding the senses in Hinduism isn’t just about knowing where to stick your earplugs. It’s about awareness. Every sense can either trap us in the material world (Maya) or guide us toward truth (Satya).
Personal Anecdote: The Power of Pratyahara
When I first tried pratyahara (withdrawal of senses in yoga), I thought it was gonna be some hippie nonsense. Ten minutes later, I realized I was hearing silence. Wildest moment of my life.
Final Thought: Use Your Senses, Don’t Be Used by Them
The senses aren’t enemies. They’re tools. Like any tool, they can either build or destroy, free or enslave.
So yeah—listen deeply, see clearly, speak truthfully. The rest? It all follows.
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The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
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Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.