Ratha Rupaka (रथरूपकम्)

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The metaphor of a chariot (रथरूपकम्) given in the Kathopanishad is well-known. The Bhagavata Purana (Skandha 7, Adhyaya 15) also uses the example of a chariot to explain the relation between sharira, indriya, mana, atma, etc. and enumerate the path to moksha. It says,

41. The wise say that this body is a chariot, the senses are the horses, mind (the controller of senses) is the reins, the objects of senses are the paths, intellect (reasoning faculty) is the charioteer and the heart (power) is the all-embracing cordage created by God.

42. The ten vital breaths form the axis, Dharma and Adharma its two wheels, the atman who identifies himself with the body due to ahamkara is the owner (occupant) of the chariot. They say that the sacred syllable Om is the bow, the pure Self is the arrow and Paramatman (the Supreme Being) is the target.

43-44. Love, hatred, greed, sorrow, infatuation, fear, pride, hautiness, disgrace, jealousy, deceitfulness, violence, envy, passion, negligence, hunger, sleep - these and the like are the enemies to be vanquished. These are born of Rajas and tamas and rarely from sattva. (At the time of concentration of the mind, the appearance of ideas of doing good is also a distraction and hence inimical).