The Chariot Metaphor
Understanding the Self through the image of a chariot.
The body is the chariot, the Self is the rider, intellect is the charioteer, mind the reins, senses the horses, and sense objects the road. The wise reach the highest goal.
Know the Self as the rider in the chariot, the body as the chariot, the intellect as the charioteer, and the mind as the reins.
This metaphor teaches discrimination and self-mastery.
Katha Upanishad
Written about in
- What the Upanishads say about the self
The body is a chariot, the senses are horses, the mind is the reins, the intellect drives and the self rides. The picture makes one point: the passenger should be choosing the road.