5 sense of indriya

In Jainism, the concept of indriya (senses) is fundamental to understanding living beings (jivas) and their capacities for perception and experience. According to Jain philosophy, there are five types of senses (pañcendriya):

1. Sparshanendriya (Touch) – The sense of touch.
2. Rasanendriya (Taste) – The sense of taste.
3. Ghranendriya (Smell) – The sense of smell.
4. Chakshurindriya (Sight) – The sense of sight.
5. Shravanendriya (Hearing) – The sense of hearing.

Jainism classifies living beings based on the number of senses they possess, ranging from one-sensed beings (like plants, which only have the sense of touch) to five-sensed beings (like humans and many animals, possessing all five senses). This classification is important in Jain ethics, as it influences the degree of non-violence (ahimsa) to be observed towards different forms of life.