karmaindriyas

Karmaindriyas, also known as karmendriyas, are the organs of action in Indian philosophy. They are the instruments through which a person performs actions in the external world, in contrast to the jnana-indriyas, the organs of knowledge (sense organs such as the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin).

Traditionally, the five karma-indriyas are listed as the hands, the feet, speech, and the two sets of orifices associated with excretion and reproduction. These organs enable voluntary activity and interaction with the environment, and they are viewed as the means by which intention and mind manifest as physical action.

In various schools, the karma-indriyas are considered to function under the influence of the mind and vital energies (prana). Their activity is a focal point in discussions of discipline and self-control; advancing spiritual practice often involves restraining or refining the indulgence and distractions of these organs. In yoga, for example, practices such as pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses) aim to regulate the karma-indriyas to prevent external stimuli from overpowering concentration.

The concept appears across Upanishadic, Vedantic, and yogic traditions, where the distinction between organs of knowledge and action helps explain how perception, volition, and conduct shape the soul’s experiential life. While the lists and emphasis can vary among schools, the basic idea remains: jnana-indriyas enable perception, while karma-indriyas enable action.