Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 3 · Karma Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 3.40 इन्द्रियाणि मनो बुद्धिरस्याधिष्ठानमुच्यते
श्लोक 3.40
इन्द्रियाणि मनो बुद्धिरस्याधिष्ठानमुच्यते ।
एतैर्विमोहयत्येष ज्ञानमावृत्य देहिनम् ॥
indriyāṇi mano buddhirasyādhiṣṭhānamucyate |
etairvimohayatyeṣa jñānamāvṛtya dehinam ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
इन्द्रियाँ, मन और बुद्धि इस काम के निवास-स्थान कहे जाते हैं। इन्हीं के द्वारा यह ज्ञान को ढककर देहधारी जीव को मोहित करता है।
Meaning in English
The senses, the mind and the intellect are said to be its dwelling place. Through them it covers wisdom and deludes the embodied soul.
Bhagavad Gita 3.40 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| इन्द्रियाणि | indriyāṇi | the senses |
| मनः | manaḥ | the mind |
| बुद्धिः | buddhiḥ | the intellect |
| अस्य | asya | its (desire's) |
| अधिष्ठानम् | adhiṣṭhānam | seat, stronghold |
| उच्यते | ucyate | is said to be |
| एतैः | etaiḥ | through these |
| विमोहयति | vimohayati | deludes |
| एषः | eṣaḥ | this (desire) |
| ज्ञानम् | jñānam | knowledge |
| आवृत्य | āvṛtya | having covered |
| देहिनम् | dehinam | the embodied one |
Explanation
The senses, the mind and the intellect are said to be its seat. Through these, desire covers knowledge and deludes the embodied self.
Like a general who must know where the enemy is camped, the seeker must know where desire lives. It works through three levels: the senses, which meet objects; the mind, which dwells on them; and the intellect, which justifies the craving. Shankara and others note that once its strongholds are known, desire can be fought there. The next verses give the strategy, beginning with the senses.
भावार्थ
इन्द्रियाँ, मन और बुद्धि — ये इस काम के निवास-स्थान कहे जाते हैं। इन्हीं के द्वारा यह ज्ञान को ढककर देहधारी जीव को मोहित करता है।
Living it today
Watch how a craving moves from seeing, to thinking, to finding reasons. Interrupt it at the earliest level you can.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 3.40?
The senses, the mind and the intellect are said to be its seat. Through these, desire covers knowledge and deludes the embodied self.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 3.40?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 3 (Karma Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 3.40 in daily life?
Watch how a craving moves from seeing, to thinking, to finding reasons. Interrupt it at the earliest level you can.
Reflected on verse 3.40?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.