Chapter 2, Verse 67 (Bhagavad Gita 2.67)
Chapter 2: Sānkhya Yog – Transcendental Knowledge
Sanskrit Shloka
इन्द्रियाणां हि चरतां यन्मनोऽनुविधीयते। तदस्य हरति प्रज्ञां वायुर्नावमिवाम्भसि
Transliteration
indriyāṇāṁ hi charatāṁ yan mano ’nuvidhīyate tadasya harati prajñāṁ vāyur nāvam ivāmbhasi
Word Meanings
indriyāṇām—of the senses; hi—indeed; charatām—roaming; yat—which; manaḥ—the mind; anuvidhīyate—becomes constantly engaged; tat—that; asya—of that; harati—carries away; prajñām—intellect; vāyuḥ—wind; nāvam—boat; iva—as; ambhasi—on the water
Translation
As a strong wind sweeps away a boat on the water, even one of the wandering senses on which the mind focuses can carry away a man's intelligence.
Meaning & Commentary
This verse warns us about the fragility of human focus and the power of sensory temptation. It suggests that our consciousness is like a boat, and when we allow our mind to fixate on a single sensory desire, we lose our steering mechanism, which is our discrimination. True wisdom requires constant vigilance, as the mind easily becomes a captive to the external world, causing us to drift far from our inner purpose. By learning to detach the mind from sensory pulls, we regain control over our lives and prevent our intellect from being hijacked by fleeting distractions.