Shloka 5
Adhyāya 51: Kṛṣṇa’s Leave-Taking and Departure for Dvārakā (द्वारकागमनानुमति)
इन्द्रियग्रामसंयुक्तो मनःसारथिरेव च | बुद्धिसंयमनो नित्यं महान् ब्रह्ममयो रथ:,ब्रह्ममय रथ सदा रहनेवाला और महान है, इन्द्रियाँ उसके घोड़े, मन सारथि और बुद्धि चाबुक है
indriyagrāmasaṁyukto manaḥsārathireva ca | buddhisaṁyamano nityaṁ mahān brahmamayo rathaḥ ||
Vāyu said: “This great chariot is ever of the nature of Brahman. Its horses are the host of senses; the mind serves as the charioteer; and the intellect—ever restraining and directing—functions as the reins/whip. Thus, self-mastery is taught through the image of a chariot: when intellect governs mind and senses, one moves toward the highest good rather than being dragged by desire.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches inner governance: the senses must be harnessed, the mind must steer, and the intellect must continually restrain and direct. When buddhi rules, one’s life-journey becomes aligned with Brahman (the highest reality) rather than being driven by uncontrolled impulses.
Vāyudeva is instructing through an allegory. He describes a ‘Brahman-made’ chariot and assigns roles—senses as horses, mind as charioteer, intellect as the controlling implement—to explain how disciplined inner faculties lead a person toward spiritual realization.