Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 3 · Karma Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 3.42 इन्द्रियाणि पराण्याहुरिन्द्रियेभ्यः परं मनः
श्लोक 3.42
इन्द्रियाणि पराण्याहुरिन्द्रियेभ्यः परं मनः ।
मनसस्तु परा बुद्धिर्यो बुद्धेः परतस्तु सः ॥
indriyāṇi parāṇyāhurindriyebhyaḥ paraṃ manaḥ |
manasastu parā buddhiryo buddheḥ paratastu saḥ ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
इन्द्रियों को (शरीर से) श्रेष्ठ कहा गया है, इन्द्रियों से मन श्रेष्ठ है, मन से बुद्धि श्रेष्ठ है और जो बुद्धि से भी परे है, वह आत्मा है।
Meaning in English
The senses are said to be higher (than the body); the mind is higher than the senses; the intellect is higher than the mind; and higher than the intellect is He (the Self).
Bhagavad Gita 3.42 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| इन्द्रियाणि | indriyāṇi | the senses |
| पराणि | parāṇi | superior, subtle |
| आहुः | āhuḥ | they say |
| इन्द्रियेभ्यः | indriyebhyaḥ | than the senses |
| परम् | param | higher |
| मनः | manaḥ | the mind |
| मनसः | manasaḥ | than the mind |
| तु | tu | but |
| परा | parā | higher |
| बुद्धिः | buddhiḥ | the intellect |
| यः | yaḥ | who |
| बुद्धेः | buddheḥ | than the intellect |
| परतः | parataḥ | higher still |
| तु | tu | but |
| सः | saḥ | that (the Self) |
Explanation
The senses are said to be subtle and high (above their objects); higher than the senses is the mind; higher than the mind is the intellect; and higher even than the intellect is He, the Self.
This ladder echoes the Katha Upanishad (1.3.10), which ranks senses, objects, mind, intellect and the Self in a similar order. Shankara takes 'sah' (he) as the Self, the witness beyond all faculties; Ramanuja reads it as desire itself, the enemy this passage is about, which works even beyond the intellect. Knowing this hierarchy shows the seeker where to stand: at the highest level, from which the lower ones can be governed.
भावार्थ
इन्द्रियों को (विषयों से) श्रेष्ठ कहा गया है, इन्द्रियों से श्रेष्ठ मन है, मन से श्रेष्ठ बुद्धि है, और जो बुद्धि से भी अत्यन्त श्रेष्ठ है, वह आत्मा है।
Living it today
You are not just your impulses or even your thoughts. Remembering the deeper witness in you gives a steady place to decide from.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 3.42?
The senses are said to be subtle and high (above their objects); higher than the senses is the mind; higher than the mind is the intellect; and higher even than the intellect is He, the Self.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 3.42?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 3 (Karma Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 3.42 in daily life?
You are not just your impulses or even your thoughts. Remembering the deeper witness in you gives a steady place to decide from.
Reflected on verse 3.42?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.