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Chapter 3 · Karma-yoga · 43 verses

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Mind & yogaChapter 3 · Karma-yoga
3.413.43

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 3.42

Lust, anger and mastery over senses

इन्द्रियाणि पराण्याहुरिन्द्रियेभ्यः परं मनः ।

मनसस्तु परा बुद्धिर्यो बुद्धेः परतस्तु सः ॥ ४२ ॥

indriyāṇi parāṇy āhur

indriyebhyaḥ paraṁ manaḥ

manasas tu parā buddhir

yo buddheḥ paratas tu saḥ

Translation

The working senses are superior to dull matter; mind is higher than the senses; intelligence is still higher than the mind; and he [the soul] is even higher than the intelligence.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

The Soul Above the Senses

  1. 1The senses are above dull matter, the mind above the senses, intelligence above the mind, and the soul above intelligence.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that when the soul serves Kṛṣṇa directly, the intelligence, mind and senses naturally become engaged in His service.
  3. 3Use your intelligence to keep your mind in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, surrendering fully to Him.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 3, Karma-yoga: lust, anger and mastery over senses.

What it teaches

Theme summary

A disciplined mind is one's best friend.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: manas, indriya, yoga.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 3.42 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to mind & yoga?

Practice

Sit quietly for ten minutes and gently return the mind.

4

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 3 ›
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Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 3.37Lust, anger and mastery over sensesBG 3.38Lust, anger and mastery over sensesBG 6.35Practice and detachment

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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Ask about BG 3.42 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.

Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.