Shloka 24

Devanagari script

मनसो लक्षण चिन्ता चिन्तोक्ता बुद्धिलक्षणा । मनसा चिन्तितानर्थान्‌ बुद्धया चेह व्यवस्यति

Transliteration

manaso lakṣaṇa-cintā cintoktā buddhi-lakṣaṇā | manasā cintitān arthān buddhyā ceha vyavasyati ||

Translation

Vāyu said: “The distinguishing function of the mind (manas) is ‘thinking’—it is expressed as thought. The distinguishing function of the intellect (buddhi) is ‘determination’: here, the intellect decisively ascertains the meanings and aims that the mind has merely conceived.”

Word by Word

• मनसः: of the mind
• मनसः: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनस्
• Form: Neuter, Genitive, Singular

• लक्षणम्: characteristic/mark
• लक्षणम्: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: लक्षण
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• चिन्ता: thought/consideration
• चिन्ता: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: चिन्ता
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• चिन्त: think/consider (you)
• चिन्त: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: चिन्त्
• Form: Imperative, Second, Singular, Parasmaipada

• उक्ता: said/declared
• उक्ता: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वच् (उक्त)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• बुद्धि-लक्षणा: having the mark of intellect
• बुद्धि-लक्षणा: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बुद्धि + लक्षण
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• मनसा: by/with the mind
• मनसा: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनस्
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• चिन्तितान्: thought of/pondered
• चिन्तितान्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चिन्त् (चिन्तित)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• अर्थान्: meanings/matters
• अर्थान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थ
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• बुद्ध्या: by/with the intellect
• बुद्ध्या: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुद्धि
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental, Singular

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• इह: here/in this world
• इह: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इह

• व्यवस्यति: determines/ascertains
• व्यवस्यति: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + अव + सि (व्यवस्)
• Form: Present, Third, Singular, Parasmaipada

Speaker

वायुदेव उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vāyudeva

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse distinguishes two inner faculties: the mind (manas) generates thoughts and possibilities, while the intellect (buddhi) discriminates and reaches firm determination. Ethical action depends on buddhi governing the mind’s fluctuations through clear decision.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vāyudeva is explaining an inner, philosophical analysis of cognition—clarifying how mental ideation becomes purposeful resolve—within the broader Ashvamedhika Parva discourse on right understanding and disciplined conduct.