In Bhagavad Gita 2.68, Krishna concludes that the person whose senses are completely held back from their objects has firmly established wisdom.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
तस्माद्यस्य महाबाहो
निगृहीतानि सर्वशः
इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्
तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ॥ २-६८ ॥
tasmādyasya mahābāho
nigṛhītāni sarvaśaḥ
indriyāṇīndriyārthebhyas
tasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā
English transliteration tasmaadyasya mahaabaaho
nigriheetaani sarvashah
indriyaaneendriyaarthebhyas
tasya prajnaa pratishthitaa ॥ 2.68 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Therefore, O mighty-armed, one whose senses are completely restrained from their objects has wisdom that is firmly established.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| तस्मात् tasmāt | therefore |
| यस्य yasya | whose |
| महाबाहो mahābāho | O mighty-armed |
| निगृहीतानि nigṛhītāni | restrained |
| सर्वशः sarvaśaḥ | completely |
| इन्द्रियाणि indriyāṇi | senses |
| इन्द्रियार्थेभ्यः indriyārthebhyaḥ | from their objects |
| तस्य tasya | his |
| प्रज्ञा prajñā | wisdom |
| प्रतिष्ठिता pratiṣṭhitā | is established |
Word-wise Chanting
- tas–mād–yas–ya ma–hā–bā–ho 8 syllables tas-maad-yas-ya ma-haa-baa-ho
- ni–gṛ–hī–tā–ni sar–va–śaḥ | 8 syllables ni-gri-hee-taa-ni 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 || 2-68 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 68
Context
Krishna draws the conclusion of his teaching on the senses (2.58–2.67).
Meaning
The verse repeats the refrain tasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā for the last time, confirming that sense mastery is essential for steady wisdom. Krishna addresses Arjuna as mahābāho, mighty-armed, perhaps implying that this inner battle requires as much strength as any outer one.
Repetition in the Gita is a teaching method. By hearing the same truth from different angles, the mind slowly absorbs it. The mastery of the senses is not a single act but a gradual training, renewed every day. The strength needed for this inner battle is the true strength of a hero.
In Practice
Choose one sense, such as sight or taste, and practise conscious restraint with it for one day. Observe how it affects your clarity.
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.