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Bhagavad Gita 3.42

Chapter 3, Verse 42

Part of 3: Karm Yogकर्मयोग

इन्द्रियाणि पराण्याहुरिन्द्रियेभ्यः परं मनः। मनसस्तु परा बुद्धिर्यो बुद्धेः परतस्तु सः॥

Transliteration

indriyāṇi parāṇyāhur indriyebhyaḥ paraṁ manaḥ manasas tu parā buddhir yo buddheḥ paratas tu saḥ

Meaning

They say that the senses are superior to the body; the mind is superior to the senses; the intellect is superior to the mind; and He (the Self) is superior even to the intellect.

Word-by-word meaning
indriyāṇisensesparāṇisuperiorāhuḥare saidindriyebhyaḥthan the sensesparamsuperiormanaḥthe mindmanasaḥthan the mindtubutparāsuperiorbuddhiḥintellectyaḥwhobuddheḥthan the intellectparataḥmore superiortubutsaḥthat (soul)
Commentary

When compared with the physical body which is gross, external and limited, the senses are certainly superior as they are more subtle, internal and have a wider range of activity. The mind is superior to the senses, as the senses cannot do anything independently without the help of the mind. The mind can perform the functions of the five senses. The intellect is superior to the mind because it is endowed with the faculty of discrimination. When the mind is in a state of doubt, the intellect comes to its resuce. The Self, the Witness, is superior even to the intellect, as the intellect borrows its light from the Self.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3, Verse 42?
They say that the senses are superior to the body; the mind is superior to the senses; the intellect is superior to the mind; and He (the Self) is superior even to the intellect.
Which chapter and verse of the Bhagavad Gita is this?
This is verse 42 of Chapter 3 (Karm Yog — Path of Selfless Service) of the Bhagavad Gita, a scripture of 18 chapters and 700 verses spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna.