‹ Back to the text
manasā
manas
masc instr sg of manas (noun); masc abl sg of manas (noun); masc nom pl of manasa (adj); fem nom sg of manasa (adj); …
- manas (masc): mind; mental faculty; intellect
- manasa (adj): intent on; set on; focused on; inclining towards; lit. with such a mind
- manasa (adj): with a mind; having such a mind; mentally; lit. with such a mind
- manasā (masc): by mind; with mind; mentally
Built from
- man — root · think, mind
The root *men- (thinking, mental faculty) is shared with English 'mind', Latin 'mens', and Sanskrit 'manas'. It grounds all Pali terms for cognition and intention.
- as — ending · masc sg nom
Nominative singular masculine ending; in the instrumental (manasā) it marks the agent or instrument ('by mind', 'with mind'), expressing the mental faculty as a tool of action.
Etymology. From Indo-European *men- 'to think, mental activity'. Cognates: English mind, Latin mens, Sanskrit manas, Greek menos 'spirit, courage'. The root appears in manati 'thinks' and is foundational to Buddhist psychology.