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Tattvarthasutra
There are two types of senses in creatures: one is touch and the other is taste. The insect, like a worm and a caterpillar, has three senses: those of touch, taste, and smell. Beings like bumblebees, flies, bees, and mosquitoes have three senses along with sight, making a total of four senses. Humans, animals, birds, gods, and hell beings have the first four senses, and hearing is the fifth sense.
Question: Should this number be understood as pertaining to material senses, mental senses, or both?
The above number should be understood only in terms of material senses. In some cases, despite there being fewer material senses, there are five mental senses.
Question: Can creatures like worms etc. see or hear with the power of their mental senses?
No. The mental senses do not operate alone; they require the assistance of material senses to function. Hence, despite the presence of all mental senses, creatures like worms and insects, lacking material senses like eyes and ears, are incapable of hearing, for example, and instead sustain their life journey through the power of their material and mental faculties.
From the earth beings to celestial beings, there are eight categories, but only five senses are associated with the mind. However, not all beings possess it. There are four classes of beings with five senses: gods, hell beings, humans, and non-human animals. Among these, the first class possesses minds, while only the last two classes possess minds partially.