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← Chapter 2: The Yoga of Knowledge

Verse 2.67

Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit

इन्द्रियाणां हि चरतां यन्मनोऽनुविधीयते। तदस्य हरति प्रज्ञां वायुर्नावमिवाम्भसि॥

Transliteration (IAST)

indriyāṇāṁ hi caratāṁ yan mano 'nuvidhīyate tad asya harati prajñāṁ vāyur nāvam ivāmbhasi

Word-by-Word Meanings

indriyāṇām-of the senses
caratām-roaming
manaḥ-mind
anuvidhīyate-follows
vāyuḥ-wind
nāvam-boat

Translation

When the mind follows the roaming senses, it carries away one's wisdom, as the wind carries away a boat on the water.

Commentary

The boat analogy vividly illustrates how an uncontrolled mind, following the senses, is helplessly driven off course. Just as a boat without an anchor is at the mercy of the wind, a mind without discipline is at the mercy of sensory impulses. The image emphasizes both the power of the senses and the vulnerability of the undisciplined mind.

Themes

yogajnana