MANAS

-DEVRAJ R HULMANI
In this chapter we are going to study
about manas.

Derivation of Manas.
Nirukti of Manas.
Synonyms of Manas.
Sthana of Manas.
Guna of Manas.
Karma of Manas.
DERIVATION OF THE TERM
MANAS
Manas is derived from the root word ‘mana’.

The ‘mana’ root denotes the thing that which

perceives the knowledge.

‘Mana’ root suffixing the ‘Asun’ pratyaya, derives

the word manas
NIRUKTI
लक्षणं मनसो ज्ञानस्याभावो भाव एव च। सति चात्मेन्द्रियार्थानां सन्निकर्षे न वर्तत ।।
[Cha.sha-1/18]
Element accountable for the existence or non-
existence of knowledge is signified by the term
manas.
मन्यते अवबुध्यते ज्ञायते अनेन इति मनः ।।
As per Tarkasangraha, manas is defined as the
mean by which awareness of feelings like sukha
and dukha takes place.
SYNONYMS
अतीन्द्रियं पुनर्मनः सत्त्वसञ्ज्ञकं , ‘चेतः’ इत्याहरेके , तदर्थात्म-सम्पदायत्तचेष्टं
चेष्टाप्रत्ययभूतमिन्द्रियाणाम् ।। [Cha.Su-8/4]

Atindriya, satwa, chetaha are also reflects the

meaning manas.
Chitam, chit, hrit, and hridaya are the other
words used to notice the word manas in different
contexts of Ayurveda.
STHANA OF MANAS
प्राणाः प्राणभृतां यत्रश्रिताः सर्वेन्द्रियाणि च । यदुत्तमाङ्गमाङ्गानां शिरस्तदभिधीयते ।। [Cha.Su-
17/12]
Prana with all indriyas are the residents of
uttamanga or shiras. As the means is ultimate
among the indriyas, the seat of manas is said to
be shira.
षडङ्गमङ्गं विज्ञानमिन्द्रियाण्यर्थपञ्चकम् । आत्मा च सगुणश्चेतश्चिन्त्यं च हृदि संश्रितम् ।।
[Cha.Su-30/4]
The entire body, indriyas, atma, and chetana are
rooted in hridaya.
 ज्ञान सुखदुःर्खान च हृदयस्थान्येव लक्ष्यन्ते ।
[Chakrapani on Cha.Su-30/5]
The activities like jnana, sukha and dukha are said
to be seated in hridaya.
 GUNA OF MANAS
वैवृत्त्यान्मनसो ज्ञानं सान्निध्यात्तच्च वर्तते । अणुत्वमथ चैकत्वं द्वौ गुणौ मनसः स्मृतौ ।। [Cha.Sha-
1/19]
 Anutwa- Minute dimension that cannot be seen is the prime
quality of manas. It is an invisible functional entity of
sarira and cannot be appreciated by anatomical
perspective and hence act as the component of jeeva
or ayu along with sarira and atma.
 Ekatwa- Solitary and self-contained nature. The manas may
move its businesses very rapidly from one perception
to the other such a way that it is mistaken to be
engaged in multitasking at a same time.
KARMA OF MANAS
इन्द्रियाभिग्रहः कर्म मनसः स्वस्य निग्रहः।

 Indriyabhigraha- Control of sense organs is the prime

function of the manas. For the
perception of objects manas act as
the cognitive centre from which the
sense guide and collect impulses for a
definite action.

 Swasya nigraha- Apt orientation of self to control the

self-sense is the second function of
manas.
 ऊहो विचारश्च, ततः परं बुद्धिः प्रवर्तते ।। [Cha.Sha-1/21]

 Literature Chakrapani also postulates that ooha and

Vichara are also to be considered as the functions of
Manas.

 Ooha- The information of perceived matters shaped

out of comprehensive scrutiny of the manas.

 Vichara- Greeting and rejecting of the perceived

objects by the thought process is an
essential practice of manas to pass it
before buddhi. This task of manas is
labelled as vichara.
THANK YOU