Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 68

Chapter 2 – Sankhya Yoga · Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit verse

तस्माद्यस्य महाबाहो निगृहीतानि सर्वशः ।
इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ॥

Transliteration

tasmādyasya mahābāho nigṛhītāni sarvaśaḥ .
indriyāṇīndriyārthebhyastasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā ॥

Meaning

Therefore, O mighty-armed one, he whose senses are restrained on every side from their objects — his wisdom is firmly established.

Word meanings

तस्मात् – therefore
यस्य – whose
महाबाहो – O mighty-armed one (Arjuna)
निगृहीतानि – restrained, held in check
सर्वशः – completely, on every side
इन्द्रियाणि – the senses
इन्द्रियार्थेभ्यः – from the sense objects
तस्य – his
प्रज्ञा – wisdom
प्रतिष्ठिता – is firmly established

Anvaya (word order)

तस्मात् महाबाहो, यस्य इन्द्रियाणि इन्द्रियार्थेभ्यः सर्वशः निगृहीतानि, तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ।

Explanation

‘Tasmat’ — therefore. This verse is the conclusion of the entire discussion of sense-control. Beginning at 2.58, Krishna has said many things about the senses: drawing them in like a tortoise; the taste for objects vanishing on seeing the Supreme; the turbulent power of the senses; restraining them while devoted to Him; the ladder of downfall from dwelling on objects; serenity through moving among objects free from attraction and aversion; and wisdom being swept away by even one sense. Now He gives the essence of it all in one sentence: he whose senses are restrained on all sides — his wisdom is established.

Notice that the phrase ‘tasya prajna pratishthita’ has recurred throughout this section: in 2.57, 2.58, 2.61 and now 2.68. It works like a refrain, the way the main line of a devotional song keeps returning. By this repetition Krishna drives home that steady wisdom and sense-mastery are inseparable; where one is, the other is too.

The word ‘sarvashah’ connects directly to the previous verse. Verse 2.67 said that a single roaming sense can carry wisdom away; so here the restraint must be ‘sarvashah’ — of all the senses, in every way. Shankara adds that this restraint is mental too — not only of the outer senses, but of the memories of objects that arise in the mind.

Addressing Arjuna as ‘mahabaho’, mighty-armed, is especially meaningful. Commentators see a fine suggestion here: Arjuna, by the strength of your arms you have conquered many enemies outside; now conquer the enemies within — the senses and their objects. The true hero is one who conquers himself. Outer victory is easy; self-conquest is hard.

In life this verse reminds us that our talent, education and success are meaningful only when accompanied by self-control. Many gifted people fall through lack of restraint. True strength lies in mastery over one's own mind and senses.

Context

Verse 2.67 said that even one roaming sense sweeps wisdom away like wind driving a boat. This verse concludes the whole topic of sense-control (2.58–2.68). In the next verse (2.69) Krishna uses a striking paradox to show the difference between the vision of the sage and that of ordinary beings — what is night for all, in that the self-controlled one is awake.

Life lesson

Before seeking victory over others, win victory over yourself. Talent and success endure only when joined with self-control — the true hero is the master of his own mind.

Key terms

Nigraha: restraint, holding in check
Mahabahu: mighty-armed — the valiant Arjuna
Pratishthita prajna: firmly established wisdom — the refrain of this section