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Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, recognizes the importance of Indriya—the sensory and motor organs—as the fundamental channels through which an individual perceives and interacts with the external environment. This conceptual review focuses on the five Gyanendriyas (sense organs) and their structural and functional relevance in Ayurvedic anatomy. These include chakshu (eyes), shrotra (ears), ghrana (nose), rasana (tongue), and tvak (skin). Each is associated with specific panchamahabhuta elements and governed by subtle components like indriya dravya, indriya buddhi, and indriya adhisthana. Classical Ayurvedic texts such as Charaka Samhita , Sushruta Samhita , and Ashtanga Hridaya describe in detail the location, function, and importance of each indriya, including their role in maintaining health and their signs of deterioration (indriya dushti and arista lakshanas).

This article synthesizes these classical references with modern anatomical correlations to offer a holistic view of the sensory system [9-10]. The study also highlights how Ayurvedic literature emphasizes the prognostic significance of indriya health, with early signs of dysfunction serving as predictors of life-threatening or irreversible disease. The paper explores both the physiological interpretations and metaphysical dimensions of indriyas, including their connections to the mind (manas), soul (atma), and consciousness (chetana).

By combining traditional insights with contemporary understanding, this review aims to validate the depth of Ayurvedic perspectives on sensory health and encourage further clinical research in indriya-based diagnostics, therapies, and rejuvenation (rasayana) protocols.

KEYWORDS-  Indriya, Gyanendriyas, Ayurvedic Anatomy, Sensory Organs, Panchamahabhuta