# Mind & Senses > [!summary] > *The mind and senses are the gateway to either bondage or liberation. These analogies illuminate how to understand, control, and properly engage these powerful instruments.* ## Chariot with Horses ### The Kaṭha Upaniṣad Analogy The body is the chariot, the senses are the horses, the mind is the reins, the intelligence is the driver, and the soul is the passenger. Without proper control, the horses run wild. ![[sb/4/29/18-20#purport|chariot]] —SB [[sb/4/29/18-20|4.29.18-20]] Purport See also: [[sb/4/26/1-3|SB 4.26.1-3]], [[cc/madhya/11/37|Madhya 11.37]] ## Wild Horses ### Uncontrolled Senses The uncontrolled senses are like wild horses that drag the chariot (body) off the proper path, leading to danger and destruction. ![[sb/4/26/1-3#purport|horses]] —SB [[sb/4/26/1-3|4.26.1-3]] Purport ## Enemies Within ### Senses as Internal Foes The senses are compared to enemies within a city—if not conquered, they will conquer us and rob us of our intelligence. ![[bg/2/68#purport|enemies]] —Bg. [[bg/2/68|2.68]] Purport See also: [[sb/5/1/18|SB 5.1.18]] ## Boat Blown by Wind ### Mind Carries Away Intelligence As a strong wind blows a boat off course on the water, even one uncontrolled sense can carry away the intelligence of an aspiring transcendentalist. ![[bg/2/67|boat]] —Bg. [[bg/2/67|2.67]] ## Mad Elephant ### Mind's Destructive Power The uncontrolled mind is like a mad elephant that can uproot the creeper of devotion in a moment through offenses to Vaiṣṇavas. ![[cc/madhya/19/156|mad elephant]] —Cc. [[cc/madhya/19/156|Madhya 19.156]] ## Lamp in Windless Place ### Controlled Mind A transcendentalist whose mind is controlled is compared to a lamp in a windless place—steady, unwavering, focused. ![[bg/6/19|lamp]] —Bg. [[bg/6/19|6.19]] ## Tortoise Withdrawing Limbs ### Withdrawing the Senses One who can withdraw the senses from sense objects, as a tortoise withdraws its limbs into its shell, is fixed in consciousness. ![[bg/2/58|tortoise]] —Bg. [[bg/2/58|2.58]] ## Ocean Undisturbed ### Peaceful Despite Desires As the ocean remains undisturbed though rivers constantly flow into it, a peaceful person is not disturbed by the incessant flow of desires. ![[bg/2/70|ocean]] —Bg. [[bg/2/70|2.70]] ## Snake with Broken Fangs ### Senses Engaged in Service When the senses are engaged in the Lord's service, they become like a snake with broken fangs—still present but unable to harm. ![[sb/5/1/18#purport|snake]] —SB [[sb/5/1/18|5.1.18]] Purport *Complete reference: [[index/entries/analogies|Analogies Index]]* *See also: [[wiki/analogies/vehicles|Vehicles]], [[wiki/analogies/soul-body|Soul & Body]]*