Clarity — Lesson 15
Mastery over the senses (Gita 2.58)
Verse
इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ॥ २.५८ ॥
Transliteration
yadā saṁharate cāyaṁ kūrmo'ṅgānīva sarvaśaḥ
indriyāṇīndriyārthebhyas tasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā
Meaning
When, like a tortoise withdrawing its limbs from all sides, a person withdraws the senses from their objects, then his understanding is steady.
Sandhi-vigraha
इन्द्रियाणि इन्द्रिय-अर्थेभ्यः तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ।
Anvaya
तथा इन्द्रियाणि इन्द्रिय-अर्थेभ्यः संहरते,
तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता।
Key Words
- saṁharate — withdraws
- kūrmaḥ — tortoise
- aṅgāni — limbs
- indriyāṇi — senses
- indriyārthebhyaḥ — from sense objects
- prajñā pratiṣṭhitā — steady understanding
Teaching
Krishna now shows how inner steadiness expresses itself. The senses naturally go outward toward objects. But the wise person has mastery over them. Like a tortoise that can withdraw its limbs when needed, the person can withdraw the senses from their objects. This is not suppression. It is freedom. The senses are available, but not controlling.
Connection to Clarity
Clarity gives inner independence. When I depend on sense objects, I am pulled outward constantly. When I understand my nature, I gain freedom from this dependence. Then I can engage or withdraw as needed, without compulsion.
Reflection
Are my senses under my control, or do they pull me automatically toward objects? Can I step back when needed?