intention, purpose, mind (as active force), mental action. Almost equivalent to mano Dhs § 6. In later language mānasa is quite synonymous with hadaya. The word, used absolutely, is more a t. t. in philosophy than a living part of the language. It is more frequent as -˚ in adj use, where its connection with mano is still more felt. Its absolute use probably originated from the latter use.
■ Dhs-a.140 (= mano); Vb.144 sq. (in definition of viññāṇa as cittaṃ, mano, mānasaṃ, hadayaṃ etc. see mano ii.3); Dhp-a.ii.12 (paradāre mānasaṃ na bandhissāmi “shall have no intention towards another’s wife,” i.e. shall not desire another’s wife); Mhvs.4, Mhvs.6 (sabbesaṃ hita-mānasā with the intention of common welfare); Mhvs.32, Mhvs.56 (rañño hāsesi mānasaṃ gladdened the heart of the king)
■ As adj. (-˚): being of such & such a mind, having a… mind, with a… heart; like ādīna˚ with his mind in danger SN.v.74 (+ apatiṭṭhitacitta); uggata˚ lofty-minded Vv-a.217; pasanna˚ with settled (peaceful) mind Snp.402 and frequently; mūḷha˚ infatuated Mhvs.5, Mhvs.239; rata˚; Pv-a.19; sañcodita˚ urged (in her heart) Pv-a.68; soka-santatta˚ with a heart burning with grief Pv-a.38.

a secondary formation fr. manas = mano, already Vedic lit. “belonging to mind”