In Bhagavad Gita 2.58, Krishna compares the sage to a tortoise: when he can withdraw his senses from their objects as a tortoise draws in its limbs, his wisdom is established.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
यदा संहरते चायं
कूर्मोऽङ्गानीव सर्वशः
इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्
तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ॥ २-५८ ॥
yadā saṃharate cāyaṃ
kūrmo’ṅgānīva sarvaśaḥ
indriyāṇīndriyārthebhyas
tasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā
English transliteration yadaa samharate chaayam
koormo’ngaaneeva sarvashah
indriyaaneendriyaarthebhyas
tasya prajnaa pratishthitaa ॥ 2.58 ॥
Translation / Meaning
When one can completely withdraw the senses from their objects, as a tortoise draws in its limbs from all sides, then his wisdom is firmly established.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| यदा yadā | when |
| संहरते saṃharate | withdraws |
| च ca | and |
| अयम् ayam | this one |
| कूर्मः kūrmaḥ | a tortoise |
| अङ्गानि aṅgāni | limbs |
| इव iva | like |
| सर्वशः sarvaśaḥ | completely |
| इन्द्रियाणि indriyāṇi | the senses |
| इन्द्रियार्थेभ्यः indriyārthebhyaḥ | from the sense objects indriya (senses) + arthebhyaḥ (from objects) |
| तस्य tasya | his |
| प्रज्ञा prajñā | wisdom |
| प्रतिष्ठिता pratiṣṭhitā | is established |
Word-wise Chanting
- ya–dā saṃ–ha–ra–te cā–yaṃ 8 syllables ya-daa sam-ha-ra-te chaa-yam
- kūr–mo–‘ṅgā–nī–va sar–va–śaḥ | 8 syllables koor-mo-‘ngaa-nee-va sar-va-shah
- in–dri–yā–ṇīn–dri–yār–thebh–yas– 8 syllables in-dri-yaa-neen-dri-yaar-thebh-yas-
- tas–ya pra–jñā pra–tiṣ–ṭhi–tā || 2-58 8 syllables tas-ya pra-jnaa pra-tish-thi-taa
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 2 Verse 58
Context
Krishna introduces the theme of sense control (2.58–2.61) in his portrait of the sthitaprajña.
Meaning
The tortoise is a perfect image of self-mastery. It can move freely, but when it chooses, it draws its limbs inside its shell and becomes still and safe. The sage can do the same with the senses: engage with the world when appropriate, and withdraw them when needed. This ability is called pratyāhāra in yoga.
Today the senses are pulled outward constantly by screens, noise and endless stimulation. The tortoise reminds us that we can choose to draw inward. The point is not to reject the world but to be free to step back from it. A person who can withdraw at will is not a slave to the senses.
In Practice
Several times today, close your eyes for one minute and draw your attention inward, like a tortoise drawing in its limbs.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (The Yoga of Knowledge). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.