Concept of Manasa(Mind)

Object of Manasa
Cintyam Vicaryam Uhyam Ca Dhyeyam Samkalpyamev Ca
Yatkincinmanaso Jneyam Tatsarva Hyarthasamjnakam
(Ca. Sa. 1/20)
Cintya (things requiring thought), Vicharya (consideration), Uhya (hypothesis), Dhyeya (emotional thinking), Sankalpya (determination) or whatever can be known by mind, are regarded as its subjects.

1. Cintya: Thing requiring thought, to think about to do or not to do with purposeful or purposeless manner.
2. Vicharya: It is a distinct analysis, which enough to direct the mind to accept or reject a thing.
3. Uhya: It is a speculation, hypothetical self-discussions and logical thinking about a thing.
4. Dhyeya: It is an emotional thinking about distinct thing.
5. Samkalpya: It is consideration, determination of mind about a thing.

Functions of Manasa
Indriyabhigrahah Karma Manasah Svasyanigrahah
Uho Vicarasca ………………………………………….
(Ca. Sa. 1/20)

Indriabhigraha (control of sense organs), Svasyanigraha (self restraint), Uha (hypothesis) and Vichara (consideration) represent the action of mind.


1. Indriabhigraha:
Manasa is called as the controller of Indiryas because it indicate to receive and send the impulse and impels to cognitive senses for perception of objects.


2. Svasyanigraha:
Controlling of own function or self control is another function of Manasa. It is called Cancala (Ca. Sa. 3/21) so it is necessary to have Svasyanigraha to have right orientation towards desired objects and retraction from those after the purpose is fulfilled.

3. Uha:
Cakrapani explained in favor of Uha that knowledge of perceived objects, which produced by complete examination by mind is Uha.

4. Vicara:
In Caraka Samhita Sarirasthana 1/21, about “Vicara” Cakrapani stated that thinking upon perceived object for its reception (Upadeya) or rejection (Heya) is Vicara.