Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 13

Sāṅkhya: Categories of the Absolute Truth and the Unfolding of Creation

Tattva-vicāra

Devanagari script

इन्द्रियाणि दश श्रोत्रं त्वग्दृग्रसननासिका: । वाक्‍करौ चरणौ मेढ्रं पायुर्दशम उच्यते ॥ १३ ॥

Transliteration

indriyāṇi daśa śrotraṁ tvag dṛg rasana-nāsikāḥ vāk karau caraṇau meḍhraṁ pāyur daśama ucyate

Translation

Чувств и органов действия — десять: слух, осязание (кожа), зрение, вкус (язык) и обоняние (нос); а также речь, руки, ноги, детородный орган и анус — всего десять.

Synonyms

• indriyāṇi: the senses
• indriyāṇi: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: indriya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• daśa: ten
• daśa: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: daśa (प्रातिपदिक/संख्याशब्द)
• Form: अव्ययवत् संख्याशब्द; नपुंसक-बहुवचन-प्रथमा अर्थे (agreeing with indriyāṇi)

• śrotram: ear (hearing)
• śrotram: Karta (कर्ता/Item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrotra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• tvak: skin (touch)
• tvak: Karta (कर्ता/Item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvac (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• dṛk: eye (sight)
• dṛk: Karta (कर्ता/Item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dṛś (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• rasanā-nāsikāḥ: tongue and nose
• rasanā-nāsikāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Items in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rasanā (प्रातिपदिक) + nāsikā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; द्वन्द्व-समास (रसना च नासिका च)

• vāk: speech
• vāk: Karta (कर्ता/Item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāc (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• karau: two hands
• karau: Karta (कर्ता/Item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन

• caraṇau: two feet
• caraṇau: Karta (कर्ता/Item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: caraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन

• meḍhram: genital organ
• meḍhram: Karta (कर्ता/Item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: meḍhra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• pāyuḥ: anus
• pāyuḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāyu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• daśamaḥ: the tenth
• daśamaḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: daśama (प्रातिपदिक/क्रमवाचक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; क्रमवाचक (agreeing with pāyuḥ)

• ucyate: is said/called
• ucyate: Kriya (क्रिया/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), कर्मणि-प्रयोग (Passive), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

Characters & Entities

• Kapila
• Devahuti

FAQs

What are the ten senses (indriyas) described in Srimad Bhagavatam 3.26?

This verse lists the ten: ear, skin, eyes, tongue, nose, speech, hands, feet, genitals, and anus.

Why does Lord Kapila describe the senses to Devahuti in Canto 3?

Kapila is teaching Sāṅkhya—an analysis of the body and its instruments—so Devahuti can understand how the soul becomes entangled and how liberation comes through discernment and disciplined spiritual practice.

How can this teaching on senses be applied in modern life through bhakti?

Use the senses in Krishna’s service—hear and chant sacred names, speak truthfully, and regulate bodily urges—so the same senses become purified rather than sources of distraction.