Drg-Drshya-Viveka 6

"The intellect (thoughts) appears conscious on account of the reflection of consciousness in it. The intellect (thoughts) is of two kinds. One is the ego and the other, the inner instrument (mind, intellect, memory)." - Verse 6

Excerpt From The Commentary

The sunlight pervades all objects equally on the earth's surface. Yet amongst the elements, water reflects light, not a mound of earth. The water, mirror and diamond are endowed with the capacity to reflect light, unlike the mound of earth, mud pot and coal. The difference is in the objects and not in the light that falls on them. 

The Self is of the nature of Existence-Consciousness. All objects are known to exist because of this alone. The objects, however, differ in their subtlety.

The nature of the reflection depends upon the state of water in the bucket. If the water is clean and steady, the reflection is bright and clear. If the water is impure and unsteady, the reflection is hazy and distorted. Similarly, a calm and pure mind reflects the Self brilliantly. Such a sattwik mind is capable of understanding subtle matters and knowing the Truth. A rajasik mind is agitated and distracted by desires. It is difficult for such a mind to grasp knowledge or retain it. Such a mind is incapable of consistent thinking. It is always tense and fatigued. A tamasik mind is dull. It is impossible for such a mind to understand vedanta.

"Even though the Self is all-pervading, it does not manifest everywhere. It manifests in the pure intellect (buddhi) alone, like a reflection in a clean surface." - Atma Bodha

The mind-reflecting consciousness is of two kinds. The ahamkara-ego and the antahkarana - the inner equipment. Here the ego does not mean pride, but refers to the "I" notion. The inner equipment has three types of thoughts - the mind, intellect and the faculty of memory. 

Thoughts in a state of volition or doubt are called the mind. 

The thought of decision is the intellect.  A trained intellect can judge and decide quickly. Based on remembered experiences of the past, the intellect decides. 

Different thoughts rise in the inner equipment. The ego identifies with them and we say, 'I doubt', 'I decide', or 'I remember'. The ego owns the thoughts and attributes them to the Self. When the mind is bad, we say 'I am a sinner'. When the mind is good, we say 'I am good'. The Self is neither a sinner nor a saint. It does not get sullied by the vulgarities nor divinized by the purity of the mind. It remains ever immaculate.