Question
Dear Guru Maharaj Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to You and Srila Prabhupada.
What are the 11 sense organs?
In addition to that question, what is the significance of the 16 principle creative and elements?
Thank you
Your servant Bhakta Richard
Answer
Dear Bhakta Richard,
Please receive my blessings. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.26) gives us a clear (although not easy to understand for most people) description of material nature, which is what the material world is made of.
The transcendental living entity accepts the influence of material energy and falls down from the spiritual plane.
Pradhana is the name of the material energy before manifesting itself. It is called prakrti when in the manifested stage of existence.
This material energy is formed by 24 elements which are:
1. the five gross elements,
2. the five subtle elements,
3. the four internal senses,
4. the five senses for gathering knowledge and
5. the five outward organs of action.
1. The five gross elements are earth, water, fire, air and ether.
2. The five subtle elements are smell, taste, color, touch and sound.
3. The four internal subtle senses are mind, intelligence, ego and contaminated consciousness.
4. The senses for acquiring knowledge are the auditory sense, the sense of taste, the tactile sense, the sense of sight, the sense of smell.
5. The five outward organs of action are: and the active organs for speaking, working, traveling, generating and evacuating.
The last two categories, plus the mind, are the eleven sense organs you are asking about.
When Prakriti becomes fit for creating the specific world is called Mahat-tattva and other elements are added, like jiva, Kala (time, also called the mixing element), Paramatma, karma and others. Only at this point it is possibile for Brahma to build the universe.
I understand that some of this is not easy to understand or to put it into perspective. If you want to clarify any point you just have to ask and I’ll try to make it easier.
Your well-wisher
Manonatha Dasa (ACBSP)
PS
Bookstore and Blog: www.isvara.org
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