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## Gatha 166
## Karma/275
## The Nature of Sentient Beings
Those beings who are endowed with two senses, three senses, four senses, and five senses, should be known as *Trasakaya* according to the teachings of the Lord Vira.
**Explanation:**
Beings who are endowed with the senses of touch and taste are called *Dwīndriya* (two-sensed) beings, such as conch shells, cowries, oysters, leeches, and lizards.
Beings who are endowed with the senses of touch, taste, and smell are called *Trīndriya* (three-sensed) beings, such as ants, scorpions, beetles, lice, and bedbugs.
Beings who are endowed with the senses of touch, taste, smell, and sight are called *Chaturindriya* (four-sensed) beings, such as flies, butterflies, bees, honeybees, and spiders.
Beings who are endowed with the senses of touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing are called *Panchendriya* (five-sensed) beings, such as birds, elephants, horses, snakes, humans, gods, and hell beings.
The birth of *Panchendriya* beings is of many types:
* **Andaja** (born from eggs), such as birds.
* **Jarayuja** (born from a womb), such as humans, cows, and buffaloes.
* **Potayika** (born from a womb without a covering), such as some *Panchendriya* beings.
* **Rasayika** (born from chemical processes), such as beings born from a leather container.
* **Sansvedima** (born from sweat).
* **Sammurchana** (born from the aggregation of matter).
* **Udbhedhima** (born from breaking through earth, wood, or stone), such as frogs that emerge from stones.
* **Uppaadima** (born in the realms of gods and hell beings), such as gods and hell beings.
Those beings who have the *Tras* karma, which is the result of their actions, are called *Sajīva* (living beings).
**Doubt:**
Why are beings who move out of fear not called *Sajīva*?
**Resolution:**
This is not a correct interpretation, because beings in the womb, in an egg, in a state of unconsciousness, or in deep sleep do not move even when they are exposed to external fear. Therefore, the concept of *sattva* (consciousness) would apply to them. The scriptures also state that beings from the *hindriya* (two-sensed) to the *prayogakevali* (those who have attained omniscience through their own efforts) are called *Sajīva*.
**Doubt:**
Are *Sajīva* beings subtle or gross?
**Resolution:**
*Trasakaya* beings are gross, not subtle.
1. Dhavala, Part 1, Page 274, Pra. Pa. Sa. Pu. 18. 86.
2. "Dhokiyadayastrah ||14|| [Tattvartha Sutra, Chapter 2]"
3. Tattvavritti, 2/14.
4. Rajavartika, 2/12/1-2.
5. "Trasakaya ni i diya-pphudi java jogikevali. ||44|| Chatra, Part 1, Page 275."