Bhagavad Gita · Verse 3.42
Chapter 3: Karma Yoga (कर्मयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
इन्द्रियाणि पराण्याहुरिन्द्रियेभ्यः परं मनः । मनसस्तु परा बुद्धिर्यो बुद्धेः परतस्तु सः ॥४२॥
indriyāṇi parāṇyāhurindriyebhyaḥ paraṃ manaḥ | manasastu parā buddhiryo buddheḥ paratastu saḥ ||42||
Complete Shloka Translation
The senses are described as higher; mind stands above the senses, understanding above mind, and beyond understanding is the self.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| इन्द्रियाणि | indriyāṇi | the senses |
| पराणि | parāṇi | superior / subtler (than physical body) |
| आहुः | āhuḥ | they say / it is taught |
| इन्द्रियेभ्यः | indriyebhyaḥ | than the senses |
| परम् | param | higher / superior |
| मनः | manaḥ | the mind |
| मनसः तु | manasaḥ tu | and higher than the mind |
| परा | parā | higher |
| बुद्धिः | buddhiḥ | discerning intellect |
| यः | yaḥ | what is |
| बुद्धेः परतस्तु | buddheḥ paratastu | superior even to intellect |
| सः | saḥ | that is the Self (Atman) |
the senses
superior / subtler (than physical body)
they say / it is taught
than the senses
higher / superior
the mind
and higher than the mind
higher
discerning intellect
what is
superior even to intellect
that is the Self (Atman)
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
This draft reads the final pronoun as the self, following a common interpretation. Higher describes a spiritual ordering of faculties; other traditions relate the sequence differently to the obstacles to knowledge.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"The teaching turns from outer impulses toward subtler discernment and the self."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
How could you pause between a sensory impression and the judgment that follows?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse in your daily career and work life: discharge your responsibilities wholeheartedly as an act of service and social welfare, freeing your mind from selfish anxiety and burnout.