Clarity — Lesson 17
Mastery through alignment (Gita 2.61)
Verse
वशे हि यस्येन्द्रियाणि तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ॥ २.६१ ॥
Transliteration
tāni sarvāṇi saṁyamya yukta āsīta mat-paraḥ
vaśe hi yasyendriyāṇi tasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā
Meaning
Having restrained all the senses, one should remain composed, with the mind focused on Me. For one whose senses are under control, their understanding is steady.
Sandhi-vigraha
वशे हि यस्य इन्द्रियाणि तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ।
Anvaya
यस्य इन्द्रियाणि वशे, तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता।
Key Words
- saṁyamya — restraining
- yuktaḥ — disciplined, composed
- mat-paraḥ — centered on Me (Ishvara)
- vaśe — under control
- indriyāṇi — senses
- prajñā pratiṣṭhitā — steady understanding
Teaching
Krishna now gives the method. Sense control is not just suppression. It requires a higher orientation. When the mind is aligned with a larger vision, the pull of the senses reduces naturally. “Mat-paraḥ” means living with a higher understanding, with alignment to Ishvara, to truth. Then discipline becomes natural, not forced.
Connection to Clarity
Clarity must guide discipline. If I only try to control the senses, it becomes struggle. If I have a clear vision of life, my choices align with it. Then control becomes effortless alignment.
Reflection
What is my higher orientation in life? Do my daily actions align with it, or are they driven by impulse?