Manas
Manas (Skt., ‘mind’). In Skt. literature, the mind, the co-ordinating organ of intelligence, thought, understanding, perception, and will. In Vedic times manas meant the individual spirit and the basis of speech (vāc). In the Upaniṣadic period manas is variously treated: sometimes it is closely associated with speech and breath as a triple entity, sometimes considered more as the intermediate link between the Self, ātman, and the senses.
In the darśanas, manas is seen as a special additional sense organ by which thoughts and sensations have access to the ātman. In Sāṃkhya philosophy, the principle (tattva) of manas together with intellect (buddhi) and ego (ahaṃkāra) makes up a threefold ‘inner instrument’ (antaḥkarana).
In Buddhist psychology, manas is the rational or intellectual faculty of the mind. In the Pāli canon it is said to be synonymous with citta and vijñãna (2).
In the darśanas, manas is seen as a special additional sense organ by which thoughts and sensations have access to the ātman. In Sāṃkhya philosophy, the principle (tattva) of manas together with intellect (buddhi) and ego (ahaṃkāra) makes up a threefold ‘inner instrument’ (antaḥkarana).
In Buddhist psychology, manas is the rational or intellectual faculty of the mind. In the Pāli canon it is said to be synonymous with citta and vijñãna (2).
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Manas