In Bhagavad Gita 3.42, Krishna describes the inner hierarchy: the senses are superior to the body, the mind to the senses, the intellect to the mind, and the Self is beyond the intellect.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
इन्द्रियाणि पराण्याहुर्
इन्द्रियेभ्यः परं मनः
मनसस्तु परा बुद्धिर्
यो बुद्धेः परतस्तु सः ॥ ३-४२ ॥
indriyāṇi parāṇyāhur
indriyebhyaḥ paraṃ manaḥ
manasastu parā buddhir
yo buddheḥ paratastu saḥ
English transliteration indriyaani paraanyaahur
indriyebhyah param manah
manasastu paraa buddhir
yo buddheh paratastu sah ॥ 3.42 ॥
Translation / Meaning
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 beyond the intellect is He, the Self.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| इन्द्रियाणि indriyāṇi | the senses |
| पराणि parāṇi | superior |
| आहुः āhuḥ | they say |
| इन्द्रियेभ्यः indriyebhyaḥ | than the senses |
| परम् param | superior |
| मनः manaḥ | the mind |
| मनसः manasaḥ | than the mind |
| तु tu | but |
| परा parā | superior |
| बुद्धिः buddhiḥ | the intellect |
| यः yaḥ | who |
| बुद्धेः buddheḥ | than the intellect |
| परतः parataḥ | beyond |
| तु tu | but |
| सः saḥ | he (the Self) |
Word-wise Chanting
- in–dri–yā–ṇi pa–rāṇ–yā–hur– 8 syllables in-dri-yaa-ni pa-raan-yaa-hur-
- in–dri–yebh–yaḥ pa–raṃ ma–naḥ | 8 syllables in-dri-yebh-yah pa-ram ma-nah
- ma–na–sas–tu pa–rā bud–dhir– 8 syllables ma-na-sas-tu pa-raa bud-dhir-
- yo bud–dheḥ pa–ra–tas–tu saḥ || 3-42 8 syllables yo bud-dheh pa-ra-tas-tu sah
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 42
Context
Krishna reveals the deepest resource for overcoming desire: knowledge of the Self.
Meaning
The verse describes layers of our being, from outer to inner. The senses are subtler than the physical body; the mind, which directs the senses, is subtler still; the intellect, which decides and discerns, is higher than the mind. Beyond the intellect is the Self, pure consciousness, the ultimate source of all.
This map, which echoes the Katha Upanishad, shows where true strength lies. Desire lives in the senses, mind and intellect, but the Self is beyond its reach. When we identify with the Self, we stand above the battlefield of desire and can command the lower levels with ease.
In Practice
In meditation, move your attention inward step by step: body, senses, mind, intellect, and finally the silent awareness beyond them. Rest there.
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.