Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 15

Sāṅkhya Enumeration of Tattvas, Distinction of Puruṣa–Prakṛti, and the Mechanics of Birth and Death

Devanagari script

श्रोत्रं त्वग्दर्शनं घ्राणो जिह्वेति ज्ञानशक्तय: । वाक्पाण्युपस्थपाय्वङ्‍‍घ्रि: कर्माण्यङ्गोभयं मन: ॥ १५ ॥

Transliteration

śrotraṁ tvag darśanaṁ ghrāṇo jihveti jñāna-śaktayaḥ vāk-pāṇy-upastha-pāyv-aṅghriḥ karmāṇy aṅgobhayaṁ manaḥ

Translation

O Uddhava! Hören, Tasten, Sehen, Riechen und Schmecken sind die fünf Erkenntnissinne. Sprache, Hände, Geschlechtsorgane, After und Beine sind die fünf Handlungssinne. Der Geist gehört zu beiden.

Synonyms

• śrotram: ear (hearing faculty)
• śrotram: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrotra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• tvak: skin (touch faculty)
• tvak: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvac (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• darśanam: eye/sight (seeing faculty)
• darśanam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: darśana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• ghrāṇaḥ: nose (smell faculty)
• ghrāṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ghrāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• jihvā: tongue (taste faculty)
• jihvā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jihvā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• iti: thus
• iti: Sambandha (निपात/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: Quotative particle (इति-निपात)

• jñāna-śaktayaḥ: powers of knowledge (sense faculties)
• jñāna-śaktayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jñāna (प्रातिपदिक) + śakti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (ज्ञानस्य शक्तयः)

• vāk: speech
• vāk: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāc (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• pāṇi: hand
• pāṇi: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāṇi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• upastha: genitals
• upastha: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: upastha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• pāyuḥ: anus
• pāyuḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāyu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• aṅghriḥ: foot
• aṅghriḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aṅghri (प्रātipadika/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• karmāṇi: organs of action
• karmāṇi: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• aṅga-ubhayam: both groups (of organs)
• aṅga-ubhayam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aṅga (प्रातिपदिक) + ubhaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुषार्थः: 'both sets of organs'

• manaḥ: mind
• manaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: manas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

Purport

Eleven elements are mentioned in this verse.

Characters & Entities

• Uddhava
• Sri Krishna

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the mind and the senses?

This verse classifies the five knowledge-acquiring senses and the five working senses, and explains that the mind participates in both—linking perception to action.

Why did Krishna explain the senses to Uddhava in the Uddhava Gita?

Krishna is teaching Uddhava a clear analytical map of the body-mind system so he can practice detachment, self-mastery, and devotion with proper understanding.

Practical application of sense control from Bhagavatam 11.22.15 in modern life?

Notice how the mind turns inputs (what you hear/see) into impulses (what you speak/do), and consciously redirect that flow toward sattvic habits and bhakti—such as hearing hari-kathā and speaking truthfully.