Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 3: The Path of Action

Bhagavad Gita 3.42

indriyāṇi parāṇyāhurindriyebhyaḥ paraṃ manaḥ | manasastu parā buddhiryo buddheḥ paratastu saḥ ||

The senses are said to be high; higher than the senses is the mind; higher than the mind is the understanding; and higher than the understanding is the self.

Modern context

This is a map of the inner person in four levels: the senses, the mind that receives and reacts, the understanding that weighs and decides, and beyond all three, the self. Each level is subtler than the one below and can govern it. The use of the map is practical. When a lower level is in turmoil, one can stand on a higher one. Restless senses are steadied by a settled mind, a wavering mind by clear judgment, and judgment itself by remembering who is aware of it all.