ebhis tri-varṇaiḥ paryastair
buddhi-bhedaiḥ kriyodbhavaiḥ
svarÅ«pam Ätmano budhyed
gandhair vÄyum ivÄnvayÄt
ebhiḥ - by these; tri-varṇaiḥ - composed of the three modes of nature; paryastaiḥ - completely rejected (due to not touching the living force); buddhi - of intelligence; bhedaiḥ - the differentiations; kriyÄ-udbhavaiḥ - produced from different activities; svarÅ«pam - the constitutional position; Ätmanaḥ - of the self; budhyet - one should understand; gandhaiḥ - by the aromas; vÄyum - the air; iva - exactly like; anvayÄt - from close connection.
As already explained, there are three states to our existence, namely wakefulness, dreaming and deep sleep. In all three states, we have different experiences. Thus the soul is the observer of these three states. Actually, the activities of the body are not the activities of the soul. The soul is different from the body. Just as aromas are distinct from the material vehicle in which they are carried, the soul is unattached to material activities. This analysis can be considered by a person who is fully under the shelter of the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord. This is confirmed by the Vedic injunction yasmin vijñÄte sarvam evaá¹ vijñÄtaá¹ bhavati. If one can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one can automatically understand everything else. Because of not taking shelter of the Lord’s lotus feet, even great scholars, scientists, philosophers and religionists are always bewildered. This is confirmed in ÅšrÄ«mad-BhÄgavatam (10.2.32):
ye ’nye ’ravindÄká¹£a vimukta-mÄninas
tvayy asta-bhÄvÄd aviÅ›uddha-buddhayaḥ
Even though one may artificially think himself liberated from material contamination, if he has not taken shelter of the Lord’s lotus feet his intelligence is polluted. As stated in Bhagavad-gÄ«tÄ (3.42):
indriyÄṇi parÄṇy Ähur
indriyebhyaḥ paraṠmanaḥ
manasas tu parÄ buddhir
yo buddheḥ paratas tu saḥ
Above the senses is the mind, above the mind is the intelligence, and above the intelligence is the soul. Ultimately, when one’s intelligence becomes clear through devotional service, one is situated in buddhi-yoga. This also is explained in Bhagavad-gÄ«tÄ (dadÄmi buddhi-yogaá¹ taá¹ yena mÄm upayÄnti te). When devotional service develops and one’s intelligence becomes clear, one can use his intelligence to return home, back to Godhead.