Chapter 3 · Karma Yoga - The Yoga of Selfless ActionKrishna
Verse 42
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 3, श्लोक 42
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
इन्द्रियाणि पराण्याहुरिन्द्रियेभ्यः परं मनः।
मनसस्तु परा बुद्धिर्यो बुद्धेः परतस्तु सः॥४२॥
Transliteration
Indriyani Parany-Ahur-Indriyebhyah Param Manah.
Manasas-Tu Para Buddhir-Yo Buddheh Paratas-Tu Sah.||42||
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
इन्द्रियाणिindriyanithe senses
पराणिparanisuperior (to the body)
आहुःahuhthey say
इन्द्रियेभ्यःindriyebhyahthan the senses
परम्paramsuperior
मनःmanahthe mind
मनसःmanasahthan the mind
तुtubut
पराparasuperior
बुद्धिःbuddhihthe intellect
यःyahthat which
बुद्धेःbuddhehthan the intellect
परतःparatahsuperior
सःsahthat (the Self)
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
इन्द्रियाँ (शरीर से) श्रेष्ठ कही जाती हैं; इन्द्रियों से श्रेष्ठ मन है; मन से श्रेष्ठ बुद्धि है; और जो बुद्धि से भी परे है — वह आत्मा है।
English 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 (Atman).
Commentary (टीका)
Krishna reveals the hierarchy of inner faculties — body, senses, mind, intellect, and finally the Atman. Each higher faculty can control the lower ones. The senses can override the body's inertia, the mind can direct the senses, the intellect can govern the mind, and the Atman transcends and empowers them all. This hierarchy provides the key to overcoming desire.