
2
CHAPTER
VERSE
67
इन्द्रियाणां हि चरतां यन्मनोऽनुविधीयते |
तदस्य हरति प्रज्ञां वायुर्नावमिवाम्भसि || 2.67 ||
Indriyāṇāṁ hi caratāṁ yan mano'nudhīyate
Tadasya harati prajñāṁ vāyur nāvam ivāmbhasi ||
For those who are always engaged in the wandering of the mind, the senses, being turbulent, forcibly carry away the mind, even of a man of discrimination, striving for perfection, as a strong wind sweeps away a boat on the water.
Lesson:
Lord Krishna illustrates the power of the senses and the mind's vulnerability to their influence. He compares the mind to a boat and the senses to the wind. Just as a strong wind can forcefully steer a boat off its course on the water, the wandering of the senses can similarly disturb and distract the mind from its intended path of focus and concentration.
Krishna emphasizes that even those individuals who possess discrimination and strive for spiritual progress are not immune to the sway of the senses. When the mind follows the wandering of the senses, it loses its clarity and discernment, making it susceptible to worldly distractions and desires. This state of distraction impedes one's spiritual growth and leads them away from the path of self-realization.
The analogy of the boat being swept away by the wind highlights the urgency of controlling the senses and disciplining the mind. Just as a skilled sailor must navigate through rough waters to steer their boat to safety, individuals must cultivate self-discipline and inner strength to overcome the turbulent influences of the senses and maintain focus on their spiritual journey. Overall, this verse serves as a reminder of the importance of mastering the mind and senses in the pursuit of spiritual advancement. It underscores the need for vigilance and self-control to avoid being swept away by the fleeting pleasures and distractions of the material world.