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Chapter 2 · Contents of the Gītā Summarized · 72 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.
Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›
Mind & yogaChapter 2 · Contents of the Gītā Summarized
2.592.61

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 2.60

Qualities of steady wisdom and sense regulation

Prakṛti · Material nature

यततो ह्यपि कौन्तेय पुरुषस्य विपश्चितः ।

इन्द्रियाणि प्रमाथीनि हरन्ति प्रसभं मनः ॥ ६० ॥

yatato hy api kaunteya

puruṣasya vipaścitaḥ

indriyāṇi pramāthīni

haranti prasabhaṁ manaḥ

Translation

The senses are so strong and impetuous, O Arjuna, that they forcibly carry away the mind even of a man of discrimination who is endeavoring to control them.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Strong Senses, Mind on Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    The powerful senses can forcibly carry away even a wise person's mind despite efforts to control them.

  2. 2

    Even great sages can fall into material enjoyment. Without engaging the mind in Kṛṣṇa, one cannot stop such activities.

  3. 3

    Engaging the mind in Kṛṣṇa’s service brings spiritual joy, making material enjoyment distasteful.

Key points from the purport

Without developing a higher taste, there is no other effective means to control the senses. The only way is to fix the mind and senses on Krishna

Power of senses – Strong and impetuous – Carry away the mind of even a man of discrimination

a

Practical Application — ‘Man of discrimination’ refers to a jnani, who endeavors to curb his senses simply on the strength of his own philosophical understanding and mental conviction

b

Example of power of senses — Visvamrita Muni and many other learned sages, philosophers and transcendentalists fall victim due to their agitated mind

c

Only way to control senses — Higher taste of Krishna consciousness – e.g. Yamunacarya

d

Krishna consciousness is on the transcendental platform

Automatically material enjoyment becomes distasteful

Analogy: Krishna consciousness is like a hungry man satisfied by sufficient nutritious eatables

e.g. Ambarisa Maharaja conquered Durvasa Muni because of Krishna consciousness

Further reading

Sthita–Prajna / Samadhi — Fight!

Become fixed in Krishna Consciousness

By working in Buddhi-yoga one attains ‘material detachment’ and the ‘equipoised platform of liberation’ called Samadhi

Chapter 2, section V: Sthita–Prajna / Samadhi — Fight!
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yatataḥwhile endeavoring
  2. hicertainly
  3. apiin spite of
  4. kaunteyaO son of Kuntī
  5. puruṣasyaof a man
  6. vipaścitaḥfull of discriminating knowledge
  7. indriyāṇithe senses
  8. pramāthīniagitating
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

  • Sense control

    The senses can forcibly carry away the mind.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 2.60 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to mind & yoga?

Practice

Sit quietly for ten minutes and gently return the mind.

5

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 2 ›
6

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 2.58Qualities of steady wisdom and sense regulationBG 2.61Qualities of steady wisdom and sense regulationBG 2.55Qualities of steady wisdom and sense regulationBG 2.56Qualities of steady wisdom and sense regulation
Live this todayGive the Senses Real EngagementA practice from BG 2.62, close to this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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