Know the Ātman as the lord of the chariot, the body as the chariot itself, the intellect as the charioteer, and the mind as the reins.

The celebrated chariot metaphor (ratha), one of the most influential images in Indian philosophy, also adopted by Plato.

The elements:

• Ātman = Rathin (the lord of the chariot, the passenger) — The real Self, silent witness
• Śarīra = Ratha (the chariot) — The physical body, vehicle
• Buddhi = Sārathi (the charioteer) — The discriminative intellect
• Manas = Pragraha (the reins) — The mind, which transmits commands

The following verse adds:

• Indriyāṇi (senses) = horses
• Viṣaya (sense objects) = roads

The hierarchy is crucial:

• If buddhi (the charioteer) is weak, manas (the reins) does not control the horses (senses), and they drag the chariot down any road.
• If buddhi is strong and manas disciplined, the journey leads to the goal (parama padam).

The Ātman does not drive — it observes. The responsibility falls on buddhi.