Verse 3.42
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
इन्द्रियाणि पराण्याहुरिन्द्रियेभ्यः परं मनः। मनसस्तु परा बुद्धिर्यो बुद्धेः परतस्तु सः।।
Transliteration (IAST)
indriyāṇi parāṇy āhur indriyebhyaḥ paraṁ manaḥ | manasas tu parā buddhir yo buddheḥ paratas tu saḥ ||
Word-by-Word Meanings
इन्द्रियाणि-the senses
पराणि-superior
मनः-the mind
परम्-superior
बुद्धिः-the intellect
परा-superior
सः-that (the Self)
Translation
The senses are said to be superior to the body; the mind is superior to the senses; the intellect is superior to the mind; and that which is superior to the intellect is the Self.
Commentary
Krishna presents the hierarchy of the inner instruments: body, senses, mind, intellect, and finally the Atman. Each successive level is subtler and more powerful. This hierarchy provides the strategy for conquering desire - by establishing oneself in the Self, which transcends all instruments through which desire operates.
Themes
atmanjnanayoga