Chapter 2, Verse 58 (Bhagavad Gita 2.58)
Chapter 2: Sānkhya Yog – Transcendental Knowledge
Sanskrit Shloka
यदा संहरते चायं कूर्मोऽङ्गानीव सर्वशः। इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता
Transliteration
yadā sanharate chāyaṁ kūrmo ’ṅgānīva sarvaśhaḥ indriyāṇīndriyārthebhyas tasya prajñā pratiṣhṭhitā
Word Meanings
yadā—when; sanharate—withdraw; cha—and; ayam—this; kūrmaḥ—tortoise; aṅgāni—limbs; iva—as; sarvaśhaḥ—fully; indriyāṇi—senses; indriya-arthebhyaḥ—from the sense objects; tasya—his; prajñā—divine wisdom; pratiṣhṭhitā—fixed in
Translation
As a tortoise draws its limbs into its shell from every side, so when one withdraws the senses from their objects, his wisdom becomes firmly established.
Meaning & Commentary
This verse offers a profound metaphor for self-mastery, suggesting that true wisdom lies in the ability to consciously detach from external stimuli. Just as a tortoise protects itself by retreating inward, a spiritual seeker must learn to direct their consciousness away from the transient cravings of the world to remain undisturbed by the flux of life. This practice is not about repression, but about developing the inner strength to witness experiences without being enslaved by them. By choosing where to focus one's awareness, an individual cultivates an unshakable core of serenity. Ultimately, this leads to a state of sthitaprajna, where the mind remains steady and balanced regardless of the chaotic nature of the external environment.