Significance of Sense of smell
The sense of smell, as defined across various philosophical and scientific perspectives, involves the ability to detect odors using the olfactory system, primarily the nose. In Hinduism, Jainism, Ayurveda, and other philosophies, it is recognized as a crucial sense for interacting with the environment and achieving internal balance. This sense plays a significant role in daily life, influencing experiences and emotions, and can be impaired by injuries. Overall, the understanding of the sense of smell encompasses both its physical and metaphorical significance in discerning reality.
Synonyms: Olfaction, Olfactory perception, Scent detection, Odor detection
In Dutch: Reukvermogen; In Finnish: Hajuaisti; In Spanish: Sentido del olfato; In German: Geruchssinn; In Swedish: Luktsinne; In Malay: Deria bau; In French: Odorat; In Italian: Olfatto; In Portugese: Sentido do olfato; In Polish: Zmysł węchu
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Sense of smell'
In Buddhism, the sense of smell is seen as both a physiological ability influencing perception and understanding, and as a means to deepen awareness. It connects to experiences of obstruction and enhances insight through focused practice.
From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary) (English)
(1) This refers to one of the senses, and when it is affected by the retribution, it leads to enclosures, bags, beating, and binding up.[1] (2) The physiological ability to perceive and identify odors, discussed in relation to the sensations of penetration and obstruction and their influence on understanding the nature of smelling.[2]
From: Introducing Buddhist Abhidhamma
(1) The ability to detect odors, which can be sharpened through dedicated concentration on familiar and distant smells.[3]
Hindu concept of 'Sense of smell'
In Hinduism, the sense of smell is seen as a vital faculty that connects individuals to the subtleties of life and experiences, deeply tied to the earth and the divine. It emphasizes olfactory perception's importance in recognizing and interacting with the world.
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) One of the five senses, specifically connected to the earth, with the nose being its primary organ for detecting scents.[4]
From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4
(1) The perception associated with odor, illustrating the essence within the act of smelling.[5] (2) The ability to perceive odors through the sense of smell, one of the outward sensations.[6] (3) Represents the capacity to perceive scents and, metaphorically, the ability to discern the subtleties in experiences and life.[7]
From: Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences
(1) This is how aromatherapy produces a positive physiological effect, which is done through the use of aromatic essential oils.[8] (2) The sense of smell was reduced in the patient, which was one of the clinical findings during the examination of the nose.[9] (3) This is a crucial aspect of olfactory information, and a loss of this sense can elevate the risk of overlooking warning signals like the smell of gas, fire, or spoiled food.[10] (4) This is known as olfaction, and is the process of perceiving odors through chemoreceptors in the nasal epithelium, which is well developed in animals.[11] (5) This is a sensory function that can be impaired by injuries to the olfactory system, and damage to the olfactory nerve fibers can cause loss of smell.[12]
From: History of Indian Medicine (and Ayurveda)
(1) The olfactory organ, which plays a critical role in daily life and was historically the most important sense.[13]
From: Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari
(1) The sensory capacity that perceives the smell of an object, which is dependent on contact with a specific substance.[14] (2) An example noting that the quality of smell is not experienced by the sense itself but is necessary for recognizing smells in the environment.[15] (3) The specific faculty of perceiving odors or scents, which is discussed in the context of how it interacts with the perfection of objects.[16]
From: Kena upanishad (Madhva commentary)
(1) The sense of smell is included among the faculties for which a wish for growth and perfection is expressed.[17]
From: Brahma Sutras (Ramanuja)
(1) This term describes the capability of detecting scents, associated with the earth and metaphorically tied to the concept of food.[18]
From: Satapatha-brahmana
(1) The capability attributed to animals allowing them to interact with the world, contrasted with human sight.[19]
From: Shat-cakra-nirupana (the six bodily centres)
(1) A sensory ability, along with feet and Gandha-tattva, is located in the Bhumandala within the Muladhara, according to the text.[20]
From: Padarthadharmasamgraha and Nyayakandali
(1) The perception of odour facilitated by the olfactory organ, which is integral to the sensory system, being specifically constructed from earth-molecules.[21]
Jain concept of 'Sense of smell'
In Jainism, the sense of smell is viewed as a controllable faculty that requires overcoming biases towards different odors for achieving balance, and it plays a significant role in perception and experience among various beings.
From: Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary)
(1) The sense through which smell is experienced, identified as the sense-organ of smell.[22] (2) This sense (ghrana) is an additional capability found in creatures like the ant (pipilika), alongside touch and taste.[23] (3) An additional sense for the three-sensed beings, known as ghrana-prana.[24] (4) The ability to detect odors through the nose, which necessitates contact with smell particles.[25]
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) The sense that should be controlled by abandoning biases towards different odors to achieve balance.[26]
The concept of Sense of smell in local and regional sources
The sense of smell, as explained, is an instrument of sensory perception used in experiments to delve into phenomena, while metaphorically representing a numbness to suffering among villagers, highlighting their desensitization to harsh realities.
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) The nose is not this, but rather the instrument, and behind it lies the organ, as indicated in the provided text, explaining sensory perception.[27] (2) Sense of smell was used in experiments to reach the fine parts of things, as individuals sought to get to the basis of the phenomena.[28] (3) Experiments were conducted to explore this sense as a means of understanding the fundamental aspects of the subject under examination.[29]
From: Triveni Journal
(1) Metaphor for numbness to suffering; signifies that the villagers have become desensitized to their dire circumstances.[30]
The concept of Sense of smell in scientific sources
The Sense of smell, linked to the Ghrana organ and the olfactory system, allows scent perception and can be impaired by injuries. It's crucial for enjoyment and serves as a warning for hazardous environments.
From: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
(1) This is an invaluable sense that enables people to appreciate the scent of objects and acts as a warning signal when encountering potentially hazardous food or environment.[31]
From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (MDPI)
(1) This refers to the specific sensory faculty that allows for the detection of odors, and impairments in this particular function have been reported to worsen concurrently with the overall decline in life quality for affected persons.[32] (2) The least evaluated of the sensory systems in research, primarily due to the technical challenges in accurately controlling the required stimuli for experimentation.[33]
From: Sustainability Journal (MDPI)
(1) The sense of smell is one of the five senses, and it is engaged in multi-sensory exhibits through the use of odors, such as fish odor, to enhance the visitor experience.[34]
From: Religions Journal (MDPI)
(1) The sense of smell is mentioned before taste due to its more rapid operation, allowing for the perception of food's odor before it reaches the tongue.[35]
Classical concept of 'Sense of smell'
From: Aesop's Fables (English translation)
(1) The sense of smell is referenced when the Mother suggests that her son has lost it, in addition to his blindness, when he misidentifies the frankincense.[36]