Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3 Verse 42 Meaning
They say that the senses are superior to the body; the mind is superior to the senses; the intellect is superior to the mind; and He (the Self) is superior even to the intellect.
BG 3.42
इन्द्रियाणि पराण्याहुरिन्द्रियेभ्यः परं मनः। मनसस्तु परा बुद्धिर्यो बुद्धेः परतस्तु सः
indriyāṇi parāṇyāhur indriyebhyaḥ paraṁ manaḥ manasas tu parā buddhir yo buddheḥ paratas tu saḥ
Meaning in English
They say that the senses are superior to the body; the mind is superior to the senses; the intellect is superior to the mind; and He (the Self) is superior even to the intellect.
हिंदी अर्थ (Hindi Meaning)
इन्द्रियोंको (स्थूलशरीरसे) पर (श्रेष्ठ, सबल, प्रकाशक, व्यापक तथा सूक्ष्म) कहते हैं। इन्द्रियोंसे पर मन है, मनसे भी पर बुद्धि है औऱ जो बुद्धिसे भी पर है, वह (काम) है। इस तरह बुद्धिसे पर - (काम-) को जानकर अपने द्वारा अपने-आपको वशमें करके हे महाबाहो ! तू इस कामरूप दुर्जय शत्रुको मार डाल।
Explanation & Life Application
This verse from Chapter 3 of the Bhagavad Gita offers profound wisdom for modern life. As part of The Yoga of Action (Karma Yoga), it teaches about Action and Duty.
The essence of this teaching encourages us to focus on our actions and duties rather than anxiety about outcomes. In today's fast-paced world, this timeless wisdom offers a path to inner peace.
— Explained by the Nitya Team
When to Apply This Verse
- •When feeling anxious about results at work or exams
- •Before starting a new project or challenge
- •When perfectionism causes stress
Related Verses
BG 3.5
Verily, no one can remain for even a moment without performing action; for everyone is made to act helplessly, indeed, by the qualities born of Nature.
BG 3.8
Perform your bounden duty, for action is superior to inaction, and even the maintenance of the body would not be possible for you through inaction.
BG 2.13
Just as the embodied soul passes through childhood, youth, and old age in this body, so too does it pass into another body; the steadfast one does not grieve over this.
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