Kato:panishad uses a metaphor ratha, chariot for human body. If the body is a chariot, who is traveling in it? Who is its charioteer? What kind of horses does this body chariot have? What are the reins of its horses? What kind of wheels does it have? What path does this chariot take?

The body is a chariot in which you (a:thma, soul) are traveling. When you leave this body, the body no longer moves/functions. Your entry and exit into this body are not determined by you.

Sense organs are the horses. Manas, the heart is the reins. Punya, virtuous acts and pa:pa, sinful acts you had done are the wheels. The vishayas, objects of the sense organs, are its path. Buddhi, intellect is the charioteer. If your intellect is not strong and right, your journey can get pathetic! Hence, it is advised that you surrender buddhi to God. Let Him take care of the buddhi so that it makes your journey in the body chariot a pleasant one!

Vyavasa:ya:thmaka buddhi is that buddhi which is determined with e:kaha, only one goal called mo:ksha, eternal bliss. It does not work for temporal materialistic joy. It performs actions not seeking any benefits or results. It, therefore, does not get itself tied to the never-ending temporal experiences of the materialistic world.

That is why, a:gama scriptures say…

What happens if I do not surrender my buddhi to God in the journey?

yan muhu:rtham kshanam va:pi
va:sude:vaha nacchinthyathe:
sa: ha:nihi thanmahacchidram
sa:bhra:nthihi sa:cha vikriya:

Scriptures state, that you are causing damage to yourself every moment that goes by without the smarana (incessant reflection in mind) of God. Body can get unhealthy if you do not take care of it through proper diet and exercise. However, you will get unhealthy if you ignore your connection to God. The difference between the two is that the damage caused to yourself lives longer, i.e. even after this body. Therefore…

Let the charioteer of your body be the vyavasa:ya:thmaka buddhi, that which is surrendered to Lord Krushna, and travel pleasantly in it…

– From the discourse of HH Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji
– Jagannath Ratha Yathra organised by ISKON
– 01^st July 2022,NTR Grounds, Hyderabad

HH Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji was invited as Chief Guest to begin the Jagannatha Ratha Yathra at NTR Grounds Hyderabad. All the devotees gathered to understand the significance of the ratha yathra were thrilled to have gotten the opportunity to listen to Swamiji explain the most profound Vedic wisdom in the simplest manner.

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