In Bhagavad Gita 2.60, Krishna warns that the turbulent senses can forcibly carry away the mind even of a wise person who is striving for self-control.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
यततो ह्यपि कौन्तेय
पुरुषस्य विपश्चितः
इन्द्रियाणि प्रमाथीनि
हरन्ति प्रसभं मनः ॥ २-६० ॥
yatato hyapi kaunteya
puruṣasya vipaścitaḥ
indriyāṇi pramāthīni
haranti prasabhaṃ manaḥ
English transliteration yatato hyapi kaunteya
purushasya vipashchitah
indriyaani pramaatheeni
haranti prasabham manah ॥ 2.60 ॥
Translation / Meaning
O son of Kunti, the turbulent senses forcibly carry away the mind even of a wise person who is striving for perfection.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| यततः yatataḥ | of one who is striving |
| हि hi | indeed |
| अपि api | even |
| कौन्तेय kaunteya | O son of Kuntī |
| पुरुषस्य puruṣasya | of a person |
| विपश्चितः vipaścitaḥ | wise, discerning |
| इन्द्रियाणि indriyāṇi | the senses |
| प्रमाथीनि pramāthīni | turbulent |
| हरन्ति haranti | carry away |
| प्रसभम् prasabham | forcibly |
| मनः manaḥ | the mind |
Word-wise Chanting
- ya–ta–to hya–pi kaun–te–ya 8 syllables ya-ta-to hya-pi kaun-te-ya
- pu–ru–ṣas–ya vi–paś–ci–taḥ | 8 syllables pu-ru-shas-ya vi-pash-chi-tah
- in–dri–yā–ṇi pra–mā–thī–ni 8 syllables in-dri-yaa-ni pra-maa-thee-ni
- ha–ran–ti pra–sa–bhaṃ ma–naḥ || 2-60 8 syllables ha-ran-ti pra-sa-bham ma-nah
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 60
Context
Krishna explains why sense control requires great care (2.60–2.61).
Meaning
Krishna does not underestimate the senses. They are pramāthin, turbulent and churning, strong enough to sweep away the mind even of a wise and earnest seeker. Knowledge and good intentions are not enough; one must remain alert.
This verse brings humility to spiritual practice. No one is beyond the reach of temptation and distraction. Instead of being shocked by our own lapses, we can recognise the strength of the forces involved and practise with patience and vigilance. Wisdom includes knowing our own vulnerability.
In Practice
Identify one situation in which your senses usually overpower your intentions. Plan in advance one simple way to avoid or prepare for it.
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.