Aatma is highest¶

The Shloka¶

———

इन्द्रियाणि पराण्याहुरिन्द्रियेभ्यः परं मनः ।

मनसस्तु परा बुद्धिर्यो बुद्धेः परं आत्मानम् ॥

———

indriyāṇi parāṇyāhurindriyebhyaḥ paraṁ manaḥ।

manasastu parā buddhiryo buddheḥ paraṁ ātmanām॥

———

Meaning / Summary¶

The significance of this shloka lies in its guidance on understanding the inner workings of human consciousness and the path towards self-realization. By recognizing the hierarchy, one can learn to control the senses, quiet the mind, sharpen the intellect, and ultimately connect with the Atman, the true Self.

The senses are superior, they say; superior to the senses is the mind; superior to the mind is the intellect; and superior to the intellect is the Self (Atman).

This verse explains the hierarchical order of senses, mind, intellect, and the Self, emphasizing the Self as the highest reality.

This shloka describes a hierarchy of awareness or consciousness. The senses are considered the primary way we perceive the world. However, the mind, which processes the information from the senses, is superior because it can filter and interpret that information. The intellect (buddhi) is even higher, as it has the power of discrimination and judgment. Finally, the Self (Atman), the ultimate reality within, is superior to the intellect, representing pure consciousness and the source of all awareness.

Sentence - 1¶

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इन्द्रियाणि पराण्याहुरिन्द्रियेभ्यः परं मनः।

———

Meaning¶

The senses, they say, are superior; superior to the senses is the mind.

Meaning of Words¶

इन्द्रियाणि	indriyāṇi
Senses The organs of perception like eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin.
पराणि	parāṇi
Superior Higher, finer, more powerful or subtler than the objects they perceive.
आहुः	āhuḥ	They say It is said, people acknowledge.
इन्द्रियेभ्यः	indriyebhyaḥ	Than the senses Compared to the senses.
परं	param	Superior Higher, finer, more powerful.
मनः	manaḥ	Mind The faculty of consciousness and thought.

Sentence - 2¶

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मनसस्तु परा बुद्धिर्यो बुद्धेः परं आत्मानम्।

———

Meaning¶

But superior to the mind is the intellect; superior to the intellect is the Self.

Meaning of Words¶

मनसस्तु	manasastu	But of the mind However, compared to the mind.
परा	parā	Superior
बुद्धिः	buddhiḥ
Intellect The faculty of reasoning and discrimination.
यो	yo	Which Who.
बुद्धेः	buddheḥ	Than the intellect Compared to the intellect.
आत्मानम्	ātmanām	The Self The soul, the ultimate reality within.