Gita 03.42 – In the line of fire from lust the soul is the last

Audio Link: https://www.thespiritualscientist.com/gita-03-42-in-the-line-of-fire-from-lust-the-soul-is-the-last/

indriyāṇi parāṇy āhur
indriyebhyaḥ paraṁ manaḥ
manasas tu parā buddhir
yo buddheḥ paratas tu saḥ (Bg 3.42)

Word-for-word:
indriyāṇi — senses; parāṇi — superior; āhuḥ — are said; indriyebhyaḥ — more than the senses; param — superior; manaḥ — the mind; manasaḥ — more than the mind; tu — also; parā — superior; buddhiḥ — intelligence; yaḥ — who; buddheḥ — more than the intelligence; parataḥ — superior; tu — but; saḥ — he.

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.

Explanation:
In this verse, Kṛṣṇa describes the hierarchy of various elements that are in the line of fire of lust. In this section (Bhagavad-gītā 3.36 to 3.43), Kṛṣṇa explains who the inner enemy is—the force that impels us toward wrongdoing—and that enemy is lust. He then outlines how to combat it.

indriyāṇi parāṇy āhur: The senses are said to be superior (to dull matter)
indriyebhyaḥ paraṁ manaḥ: beyond the senses is the mind
manasas tu parā buddhir: beyond the mind is the intelligence
yo buddheḥ paratas tu saḥ: and beyond the intelligence is the self (the soul).

The word “āhur” here refers to matter—the material sense objects and the material world. Although sense objects exist externally, it is primarily the senses that reach out to them. For example, when someone tries to tempt us, their senses are directed toward us, making us the sense object. But in essence, it is the senses that pursue the sense objects.

In this way, the senses are conscious agents. When we are attracted to a sense object, we are not drawn to the person per se, but to his material form—which is, in itself, unconscious. In that sense, the senses are higher than the sense objects or the broader material form through which lust launches itself into our hearts.

Above the senses is the mind—indriyebhyaḥ paraṁ manaḥ. If we consider lust as firing arrows, those arrows first shoot through the senses—like the eyes. That is the first level of penetration.

Just like when a terrorist wants to target the Prime Minister of India—the Prime Minister is not going to be walking openly on the streets for anyone to attack. There are multiple layers of security: one gate, then another, and then a third. Only after breaching these multiple checkpoints might the terrorist reach the Parliament building or wherever the Prime Minister is located—and even there, further checks will be in place. So, reaching the Prime Minister is extremely difficult.

Similarly, Kṛṣṇa says that lust fires at our senses—indriyebhyaḥ paraṁ manaḥ. From the senses, the fire comes to the mind. There is perception through the senses, and there is imagination through the mind.

The mind is considered to be at a higher level because it directs the senses. It integrates the inputs received from the senses and presents them to the intelligence and the soul. It also sends signals back to the senses. In the chariot-body metaphor, the mind is represented by the reins—it serves as the coordinating link between the horses (the senses) and the charioteer, which is the intelligence.

Further up in that hierarchy, the reins are controlled by the charioteer. Here, the charioteer is the intelligence. Hence, Kṛṣṇa says manasaś tu parā buddhir—intelligence is the charioteer, and the charioteer directs the horses through the reins. Similarly, the intelligence directs the senses through the mind.

Lastly, Kṛṣṇa says yo buddheḥ paratas tu saḥ—beyond the intelligence is the soul. The soul is the passenger in the chariot, or the warrior being carried—however we choose to describe it. The important point is that the chariot should move according to the will of the passenger. The proper chain of command flows from the soul to the intelligence, from the intelligence to the mind, and from the mind to the senses. When this alignment is maintained, the chariot moves in the right direction.

Kṛṣṇa describes the same hierarchy—not from the top down, but from the bottom up. He says that above the buddhi is the “saḥ”, the soul. What is the purpose of describing this hierarchy? It is to explain how lust can be combated. The specific way in which the knowledge of this hierarchy can be used to overcome lust will be described in the next verse.

But here, let us continue the point about the line of fire of lust. Once the mind gets triggered, kindled, or ignited, and the imagination starts burning intensely—”Maybe I can enjoy this way,” “Maybe I can enjoy that way,” “Maybe I can do this,” “Maybe I can do that”—at this stage, the mind is inflamed with imagination. However, beyond the mind, there is still the intelligence—that is the next line of defense.

While the intelligence is normally meant to control the mind, when lust enters the intelligence, the situation changes. Lust has kindled the imagination so attractively that the intelligence also falls for it—”Oh, this pleasure is so wonderful; I want to enjoy it too!” Instead of resisting, the intelligence begins to scheme: “How can I enjoy this?” Thus, rather than opposing lust, the intelligence starts aiding it—and in this way, the intelligence also falls.

It’s as if the line of fire keeps moving further and further. When the intelligence too is persuaded, that is the moment the person falls. To fall means the person begins to believe: “This is what I should do. This is how I will enjoy. This is the way to happiness.” That thought process marks the beginning of delusion—and ultimately, the path to self-destruction.

Although the soul is superior to all these, at present, its actions are guided through the knowledge-acquiring apparatus of the senses, the mind, and the intelligence. The soul is highest in the sense that it is ultimately the perceiver—the one who acquires knowledge. However, to do so, it must function through the senses, mind, and intelligence. When lust conquers these three, the soul also succumbs. How the soul succumbs is described in this verse, and how the knowledge of this hierarchy can help one combat lust will be explained in the next.

Thank you.