Clarity — Lesson 16

The force of the senses (Gita 2.60)

Verse

यततो ह्यपि कौन्तेय पुरुषस्य विपश्चितः ।
इन्द्रियाणि प्रमाथीनि हरन्ति प्रसभं मनः ॥ २.६० ॥

Transliteration

yatato hy api kaunteya puruṣasya vipaścitaḥ
indriyāṇi pramāthīni haranti prasabhaṁ manaḥ

Meaning

Even for a wise person who is striving, the turbulent senses can forcefully carry away the mind.

Sandhi-vigraha

यततः हि अपि कौन्तेय पुरुषस्य विपश्चितः ।
इन्द्रियाणि प्रमाथीनि हरन्ति प्रसभम् मनः ।

Anvaya

हे कौन्तेय, यततः अपि विपश्चितः पुरुषस्य,
प्रमाथीनि इन्द्रियाणि प्रसभम् मनः हरन्ति।

Key Words

yatataḥ — striving, making effort
vipaścitaḥ — a wise person
indriyāṇi — senses
pramāthīni — turbulent, agitating
haranti — carry away
prasabham — forcefully
manaḥ — the mind

Teaching

Krishna gives an important warning. Even a wise and thoughtful person is not free from struggle. The senses are powerful. They can disturb the mind and pull it outward. Therefore, clarity alone is not enough. It must be supported by discipline and alertness. Without vigilance, the mind can get carried away.

Connection to Clarity

Clarity must be protected. Understanding can be present, but the mind can still get influenced by habits. This verse shows that growth requires effort. Clarity + discipline together lead to stability.

Reflection

Even when I know what is right, do I still get pulled by my senses? Where do I need more alertness in my life?