Chapter 2, Verse 60 (Bhagavad Gita 2.60)
Chapter 2: Sānkhya Yog – Transcendental Knowledge
Sanskrit Shloka
यततो ह्यपि कौन्तेय पुरुषस्य विपश्चितः। इन्द्रियाणि प्रमाथीनि हरन्ति प्रसभं मनः
Transliteration
yatato hyapi kaunteya puruṣhasya vipaśhchitaḥ indriyāṇi pramāthīni haranti prasabhaṁ manaḥ
Word Meanings
yatataḥ—while practicing self-control; hi—for; api—even; kaunteya—Arjun, the son of Kunti; puruṣhasya—of a person; vipaśhchitaḥ—one endowed with discrimination; indriyāṇi—the senses; pramāthīni—turbulent; haranti—carry away; prasabham—forcibly; manaḥ—the mind
Translation
O son of Kunti, the turbulent senses are so powerful that they forcibly carry away the mind of even a man of discrimination who is striving for self-control.
Meaning & Commentary
This verse serves as a profound psychological warning about the volatility of the human condition. It acknowledges that the intellect, despite its desire for discipline, is perpetually under siege by deep-seated sensory impulses. True spiritual mastery is not merely about conscious willpower, but about transforming the subconscious desires that fuel these turbulent senses. It teaches that one must remain eternally vigilant, as the bridge between perception and action is fragile and easily hijacked. This realization fosters humility, reminding the seeker that enlightenment is a process of surrender and grace, not just intellectual exertion.