This mental perception is usually called cognition. Beyond the mind there is another faculty, called the intellect. It judges whether a thing is good or bad, necessary or unnecessary, of this kind or that, etc. It decides upon the value of an object, whether this judgment is positive or negative, moral, aesthetic or religious. One assesses one s situation in relation to the object.
Some psychologists hold that the mind is an instrument in the hands of the intellect.
Manas is the Sanskrit word for mind, which is regarded as the Karana or instrument, while Buddhi is the Sanskrit term for intellect, which is the Karta or doer. The intellect judges what is cognized by the mind, and makes a decision as to the nature of the action that has to be taken in respect of the object in the given circumstances. The intellect is associated with another principle within, called Ahamkara or ego. Aham means I , and kara is that which manifests, reveals or affirms. There is something in us, which affirms I am .