Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 3, Verse 42
इन्द्रियाणि पराण्याहुरिन्द्रियेभ्यः परं मनः । मनसस्तु परा बुद्धिर्यो बुद्धेः परतस्तु सः
indriyāṇi parāṇyāhurindriyebhyaḥ paraṃ manaḥ | manasastu parā buddhiryo buddheḥ paratastu saḥ
Translation
They say that the senses are superior: superior to the senses is mind: superior to mind is reason; one who is even superior to reason is He.
— Alladi Mahadeva Sastri
Word meanings
- indriyāṇi
- the senses
- parāṇi
- superior
- āhuḥ
- (they) say
- indriyebhyaḥ
- than the senses
- param
- superior
- manaḥ
- mind
- manasaḥ
- than the mind
- tu
- indeed
- parā
- superior
- buddhiḥ
- the Reason
- yaḥ
- who
- buddheḥ
- than the Reason
- parataḥ
- greater
- tu
- indeed
- saḥ
- he
Śaṅkarācārya's commentary
The senses are five. When compared with the physical body, which is gross, external, and limited, the senses are superior as they are comparatively more subtle and internal, and have a more extensive sphere of action. Superior to the senses is mind (manas) which is composed of thoughts and desires, of errors and doubts (saṃkalpa and vikalpa). Superior to mind is reason (buddhi) characterized by determination (niścaya). So, He who is behind all things visible, inclusive of reason — the Dweller in the body — He, the Self, the witness of reason, is superior to reason.