In Bhagavad Gita 3.40, Krishna explains that the senses, mind and intellect are the seat of desire; through them it deludes the embodied by covering knowledge.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
इन्द्रियाणि मनो बुद्धिर्
अस्याधिष्ठानमुच्यते
एतैर्विमोहयत्येष
ज्ञानमावृत्य देहिनम् ॥ ३-४० ॥
indriyāṇi mano buddhir
asyādhiṣṭhānamucyate
etairvimohayatyeṣa
jñānamāvṛtya dehinam
English transliteration indriyaani mano buddhir
asyaadhishthaanamuchyate
etairvimohayatyesha
jnaanamaavritya dehinam ॥ 3.40 ॥
Translation / Meaning
The senses, the mind and the intellect are said to be its dwelling place. Through these it covers knowledge and deludes the embodied soul.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| इन्द्रियाणि indriyāṇi | the senses |
| मनः manaḥ | the mind |
| बुद्धिः buddhiḥ | the intellect |
| अस्य asya | its |
| अधिष्ठानम् adhiṣṭhānam | dwelling place |
| उच्यते ucyate | is said |
| एतैः etaiḥ | through these |
| विमोहयति vimohayati | deludes |
| एषः eṣaḥ | this |
| ज्ञानम् jñānam | knowledge |
| आवृत्य āvṛtya | covering |
| देहिनम् dehinam | the embodied |
Word-wise Chanting
- in–dri–yā–ṇi ma–no bud–dhir– 8 syllables in-dri-yaa-ni ma-no bud-dhir-
- as–yā–dhiṣ–ṭhā–na–muc–ya–te | 8 syllables as-yaa-dhish-thaa-na-much-ya-te
- e–tair–vi–mo–ha–yat–ye–ṣa 8 syllables e-tair-vi-mo-ha-yat-ye-sha
- jñā–na–mā–vṛt–ya de–hi–nam || 3-40 8 syllables jnaa-na-maa-vrit-ya de-hi-nam
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 3 Verse 40
Context
Krishna locates the enemy so that it can be fought (3.40–3.41).
Meaning
Desire does not float freely; it occupies three strongholds: the senses, which grasp objects; the mind, which dwells on them; and the intellect, which justifies them. From these positions it clouds knowledge and leads the embodied being astray.
A good strategist knows where the enemy is entrenched. By naming the senses, mind and intellect, Krishna shows where the inner work must be done. Discipline of the senses, steadiness of mind and clarity of intellect are the three fronts of the inner battle.
In Practice
Notice today at which level desire catches you: the senses (seeing), the mind (dwelling) or the intellect (justifying). Intervene at that level.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 3: Karma Yoga (The Yoga of Action). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.