Bhagavad Gita 3.42

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Sri:

Sri Lakshminrisimha Parabrahmane Namaha

Sri Ramanujaya Namaha

Sri Nigamantha Mahadesikaya Namaha

 

SRIMAD BHAGAVAD GITA

- translation by Sri.V.N.Gopala Desikan

 

Chapter III

slOkA 42

 

Translation : IndriyAs are said as great; mind is

greater than the indriyAs; intellect is greater

than even the mind; and that which is even

greater than the intellect is that( the desire).

 

Commentary : The senses are the most important in

preventing proper knowledge; because when the senses

are attracted by the sense-objects, there does not

develop knowledge relating to the soul.

The manas or mind is even greater than the

sense, because even if the senses (indriyAs) are

controlled from their objects; still the mind may

be interested in external worldly objects. Then

there does not arise knowledge relating to the soul.

The intellect or buddhi is even greater than the

mind. This is because, even if you control your

mind from any activities relating to sense-objects;

still if the buddhi or intellect goes astray; i.e,

if there is a wrong decision; then true knowledge

regarding the soul cannot arise.

But the desire or passion is even greater than

the intellect , not to mention the mind and the

senses. This is because , desire can spoil even the

buddhi or intellect, besides the mind and senses

also. How ?

Even if the senses, mind and intellect are all

withdrawn from activities ; still if desire is

functioning; that desire itself makes the senses

to wander , in pursuit of pleasure-objects. The

desire thus obstructs the knowledge of the soul.

The body is compared to a chariot. The soul or

jivAtmA is the owner of the body or owner of the

chariot. Buddhi or intellect is the charioteer.

Manas or mind is the rein and indriyAS are the

horses.

Body - chariot ; JivAtmA - owner of the chariot;

Buddhi - charioteer(driver); Manas or mind - Rein;

IndriyAs- Horses.

The owner (jivAtmA) advises the charioteer(buddhi),

to use the reins (mind) to control the horses(indriyAs).

But , passion or desire spoils or tempts the charioteer

(who is buddhi or intellect) , makes it loosen the

rein(which is mind or manas), so that the horses (which

are indriyAs) go astray.

 

adiyEn,

senthil

 

(Courtesy : Sri Visishtadvaita Research Centre)