Topic

Intellect

3 verses from the Bhagavad Gita on intellect. Explore teachings across 3 chapters.

All Verses

Chapter 3 • Verse 42 →The Yoga of Action

Indriyani parany ahur indriyebhyah param manah, manasas tu para buddhir yo buddheh paratas tu sah

The senses are superior to the gross body, the mind is superior to the senses, the intellect is superior to the mind, and the soul is superior to the intellect.

•Hierarchy of human faculties
•The soul transcends all material faculties
•Use higher faculties to control lower ones

hierarchy soul mind self-knowledge

Chapter 6 • Verse 25 →The Yoga of Meditation

Shanaih shanair uparamed buddhya dhriti-grihitaya, atma-samstham manah kritva na kinchid api chintayet

Gradually, step by step, with the intellect endowed with steadiness, one should bring the mind to stillness, and think of nothing else.

•Gradual progress in meditation
•Use intellect to guide the mind
•Complete mental stillness is the goal

gradual progress meditation mental stillness patience

Chapter 12 • Verse 8 →The Yoga of Devotion

Mayy eva mana ādhatsva mayi buddhiṁ niveśhaya, nivasiṣhyasi mayy eva ata ūrdhvaṁ na sanśhayaḥ

Fix your mind on Me alone and let your intellect dwell upon Me. Thereafter, you shall certainly live in Me. Of this, there is no doubt.

•Complete mental focus on God
•Intellect aligned with devotion
•Assurance of divine union

focus mind union assurance