Senses are the horses.
“Senses are horses” is a metaphor from ancient philosophy (secret philosophy of the vedas), comparing the body’s five senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch) to powerful horses that pull a chariot (the body), needing the mind (reins) and intellect (charioteer) to be guided toward a spiritual goal, preventing them from running wild.
— Secret 5.110
“Senses are horses” or Organs of senses are horses, worldly pleasures of the senses are those paths where organs of senses run like horses. Wise people state that when soul (atma), senses and mind do any work in harmony, then man is termed as ‘bhoktaa’ – one who experiences.
Secret 5.110 Explained
Horses (Senses): Powerful, easily distracted, and drawn to worldly pleasures (objects).
Reins (Mind): The mind controls the senses; if it’s weak or wavering, the senses run uncontrolled.
Charioteer (Intellect/Buddhi): The discriminating power that should control the mind and direct the senses.
Chariot (Body): The physical vehicle.
Passenger (Soul/Self): The true self, which experiences the journey, but is often asleep or unaware in the material world.
Secret Lesson:
Self-Control: It highlights the need to manage sensory desires to achieve inner peace and spiritual realization.
Guidance: A strong intellect (charioteer) must control the mind (reins) to direct the senses (horses) towards true purpose, rather than letting them wander aimlessly into material distractions.
Spiritual Journey: When senses, mind, and intellect work in harmony under the soul’s direction, the individual can progress spiritually.
Self Realization: Realization of this interconnected system, and the control of the lower by the higher (intellect controlling mind, mind controlling senses), leads to understanding the Self and transcending worldly limitations, achieving peace and liberation