Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 42
Explanation of the Vāsudeva and Related Mantras (वासुदेवादिमन्त्रनिरूपणम्)
तथा स्पर्शो रसो रूपं गन्धः श्रोत्रं त्वचस् तथा चक्षुर्जिह्वा नासिका च वाक्पाण्यङ्घ्रिश् च पायवः
tathā sparśo raso rūpaṃ gandhaḥ śrotraṃ tvacas tathā cakṣurjihvā nāsikā ca vākpāṇyaṅghriś ca pāyavaḥ
De même (sont) le toucher, le goût, la forme et l’odeur ; et les facultés correspondantes : l’oreille et la peau ; de même l’œil, la langue et le nez ; et les organes d’action : la parole, les mains, les pieds et l’anus (pāyu).
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Enumerative mapping of tanmatras/indriyas/karmendriyas for yogic pratyahara and for aligning ritual-nyasa or bhuta-shuddhi with the sensory system; supports self-observation and restraint of sense-flow.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Tanmatras and indriyas (sparsha, rasa, rupa, gandha; ear/skin/eye/tongue/nose; speech/hands/feet/anus)","lookup_keywords":["tanmatra","jnanendriya","karmendriya","sparsha","gandha"],"quick_summary":"Lists subtle sense-objects and corresponding sense and action organs; used as a checklist for philosophical enumeration and yogic withdrawal of senses."}
Concept: Indriya-tattva viveka: distinguish sense-objects, knowledge-organs, and action-organs as evolutes to be mastered, not the Self.
Application: Practice pratyahara by noting each sense-object (touch/taste/form/smell/sound) and withdrawing attention from its corresponding organ; cultivate witness-awareness.
Khanda Section: Sankhya–Yoga / Tattva-nirupana (Enumeration of sense-objects, sense-organs, and organs of action)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A schematic depiction of the human body with highlighted sensory organs (ear, skin, eye, tongue, nose) and action organs (speech, hands, feet, anus), with subtle icons for touch/taste/form/smell as corresponding objects.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural didactic figure, stylized body with highlighted ear/eye/nose/tongue/skin, symbolic motifs for tanmatras around, bold outlines and flat colors, temple-education aesthetic","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style allegorical body-map: central figure with gold-highlighted organs, surrounding lotus medallions naming sparsha/rasa/rupa/gandha, ornate gold work and rich colors","mysore_prompt":"Mysore instructional painting: clean anatomical-schematic but traditional, labeled indriyas and karmendriyas, soft gradients, emphasis on clarity and pedagogy","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature scientific-manuscript feel: a scholar pointing to a chart of senses and organs, fine calligraphy labels, delicate shading and textile details"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyan","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: त्वचस्→त्वक् (प्रथमा एकवचन); चक्षुर्जिह्वा→चक्षुः जिह्वा; वाक्पाण्यङ्घ्रिश्→वाक् पाणि अङ्घ्रिः; (अङ्घ्रिश्→अङ्घ्रिः).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 25.41 (Purusha and inner instruments)
FAQs
It gives a technical enumeration of sense-objects (touch, taste, form, smell) and their corresponding sense-organs (ear, skin, eye, tongue, nose), plus key organs of action (speech, hands, feet, anus) used in Sāṅkhya–Yoga analysis of embodied experience.
Beyond ritual and myth, the Agni Purana also preserves systematic philosophical catalogs—here, a concise Sāṅkhya-style listing of perceptual and action faculties—showing its coverage of psychology, metaphysics, and yogic frameworks alongside other sciences.
By identifying the senses and action-organs as distinct faculties, the teaching supports self-discipline (indriya-nigraha) and detachment, helping reduce sense-driven karma and aiding purification through mindful restraint.