In the Kathopanishad (1.3.3) there is a beautiful analogy of the Aatman, the Master, riding a chariot. The chariot is imagined for the Aatman– conditioned in Samsara– who is the enjoyer of the fruits of Karma and is in bondage of Samsara,
“Aatmaanam rathitam viddhi sareeram ratameva tu I
Buddhim tu saaratim Viddhi manah pragramevacha II
Aatman. as the master of the chariot, is the rider.
The senses are the horses, and the mind is the rein.
The intellect is the charioteer (Saarathi),
The body is the chariot,
And the sense objects are the road on which the charot is being driven.
The master of the house–the King– is sitting in the chariot.
If the horses are very strong and do not obey the rein, and if the charioteer (Intellect) does not know to control the horses, then the chariot (body) will come to grief.
But if the horses (senses) are well-controlled and if the rein (mind) is well-held in the hands of the charioteer, the chariot reaches the goal.”
By
Admin
CovaiCare Retirement Communities