Bhagavad Gita 2.60 — The Turbulent Senses Carry Away Even the Mind of a Wise Striver
यततो ह्यपि कौन्तेय पुरुषस्य विपश्चितः।
इन्द्रियाणि प्रमाथीनि हरन्ति प्रसभं मनः॥ २.६०॥
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O son of Kunti, the turbulent senses forcibly carry away the mind of even a wise person who is striving.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| yatataḥ | of one who is striving, making effort |
| hi | indeed |
| api | even |
| kaunteya | O son of Kunti (Arjuna) |
| puruṣhasya | of the person |
| vipaśhchitaḥ | discerning, wise |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| indriyāṇi | the senses |
| pramāthīni | turbulent, agitating, violent |
| haranti | carry away, snatch |
| prasabham | forcibly, violently |
| manaḥ | the mind |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| yatataḥ | of one who is striving, making effort | indriyāṇi | the senses |
| hi | indeed | pramāthīni | turbulent, agitating, violent |
| api | even | haranti | carry away, snatch |
| kaunteya | O son of Kunti (Arjuna) | prasabham | forcibly, violently |
| puruṣhasya | of the person | manaḥ | the mind |
| vipaśhchitaḥ | discerning, wise | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In this verse Lord Krishna honestly describes the strength of the senses. Even a wise and striving person can have the mind forcibly dragged away by the agitating senses. The verse does not pretend that self-mastery is easy. It sets the stage for the practical remedy and for the famous analysis of how desire leads to downfall.
Essence
An honest warning
Lord Krishna says yatato hy api kaunteya puruṣasya vipaścitaḥ. Even of the man who is striving, yatataḥ, and who is wise, vipaścitaḥ, the senses are powerful. The words are noteworthy. Krishna is not speaking of a careless person with no discipline. He is speaking of a person who is making effort and who has discrimination.
Indriyāṇi pramāthīni (the turbulent, agitating senses): The word pramāthin means churning, shaking, or crushing. The senses are not gentle servants. They can churn up the mind, creating a storm of desire and distraction. They are powerful forces that need to be understood and trained.
Haranti prasabham manaḥ (they forcibly carry away the mind): The word prasabham means by force. The mind can be seized and carried off in spite of our best intentions. Anyone who has experienced a sudden surge of craving, anger, or distraction understands this.
Why Krishna is so frank
A teacher who claimed that mastery was easy would lose the trust of the student. Krishna acknowledges the real difficulty so that Arjuna will not be discouraged when he stumbles, and so that he will not become complacent about his progress. Humility about the power of the senses is itself a form of wisdom.
This honesty also makes the teaching more practical. If the senses were weak, no special method would be needed. The strength of the senses explains why a systematic discipline, the one described in the next verses, is required.
Message for Everyday Life (Respecting the Force of Habit)
Even sincere and intelligent people find themselves doing things they did not intend, such as overeating, scrolling endlessly, or reacting with anger.
Avoid self-condemnation: Struggle does not mean you are failing. It means you are facing a real force that needs steady, patient work.
Use skillful strategies: Arrange your environment and habits to reduce triggers rather than relying solely on in-the-moment willpower.
An honest warning
Lord Krishna says yatato hy api kaunteya puruṣasya vipaścitaḥ. Even of the man who is striving, yatataḥ, and who is wise, vipaścitaḥ, the senses are powerful. The words are noteworthy. Krishna is not speaking of a careless person with no discipline. He is speaking of a person who is making effort and who has discrimination.
Indriyāṇi pramāthīni (the turbulent, agitating senses): The word pramāthin means churning, shaking, or crushing. The senses are not gentle servants. They can churn up the mind, creating a storm of desire and distraction. They are powerful forces that need to be understood and trained.
Haranti prasabham manaḥ (they forcibly carry away the mind): The word prasabham means by force. The mind can be seized and carried off in spite of our best intentions. Anyone who has experienced a sudden surge of craving, anger, or distraction understands this.
Why Krishna is so frank
A teacher who claimed that mastery was easy would lose the trust of the student. Krishna acknowledges the real difficulty so that Arjuna will not be discouraged when he stumbles, and so that he will not become complacent about his progress. Humility about the power of the senses is itself a form of wisdom.
This honesty also makes the teaching more practical. If the senses were weak, no special method would be needed. The strength of the senses explains why a systematic discipline, the one described in the next verses, is required.
Message for Everyday Life (Respecting the Force of Habit)
Even sincere and intelligent people find themselves doing things they did not intend, such as overeating, scrolling endlessly, or reacting with anger.
Avoid self-condemnation: Struggle does not mean you are failing. It means you are facing a real force that needs steady, patient work.
Use skillful strategies: Arrange your environment and habits to reduce triggers rather than relying solely on in-the-moment willpower.
Next Topic
Krishna has acknowledged that even a wise and striving person can have the mind swept away by the turbulent senses. This raises the question of how one can actually gain control. In the next verse He gives the practical answer: restrain all the senses, sit steadfast with the mind fixed on Him, and the wisdom of one whose senses are controlled becomes firmly established.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Wild senses can overpower a wise mind.
Wisdom without watchfulness can fall.
Even the wise must stay alert.
The effort to master the mind is universal.
Temptation doesn't ask permission.
A mind unguarded is a mind lost.
Discipline is built moment by moment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'pramāthin' (turbulent) mean?
What does 'prasabham' (forcibly) imply?
Who is the 'vipaśhchit' (wise, discerning person)?
Why does Krishna say this?
How does this connect to the earlier verse on the tortoise?
Explore related topics
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