Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 68

English Translation

Therefore, O mighty-armed one, this wisdom becomes established whose organs in all their varieties are withdrawn from their objects.

Detailed Commentary

2.68. Commentary— Concluding the discourse on controlling the mind (manas) and senses (indriyas) that has been ongoing since the sixtieth verse, the term 'tasmāt' (therefore) indicates that the intellect (buddhi) of one whose mind and senses are devoid of worldly attraction becomes steady. Here, the term 'sarvaśaḥ' (completely/in all respects) implies that whether engaging in worldly affairs or meditating in solitude, his senses do not gravitate towards enjoyments (bhogas) or objects (viṣayas). During interaction with the world, no matter how many objects come into his contact, they cannot disturb him. Even his mind, in conjunction with the senses, cannot perturb his intellect. Just as no one can shake a mountain, such firmness comes into his intellect that the mind cannot dislodge it in any situation. The reason for this is that sense objects (viṣayas) hold no importance in his mind. 'Nigṛhītāni' (fully controlled) means that the senses (indriyas) are completely subdued from sense objects (viṣayas); that is, there is no attachment (rāga), clinging (āsakti), or pull towards them. Just as a snake whose fangs have been removed no longer has venom and its bite has no effect, similarly, the senses must be made free from attachment and aversion (rāga-dveṣa), as if their poisonous fangs have been extracted. Then these senses lose the power to lead the spiritual aspirant (sādhaka) onto the path of downfall. The meaning of this verse is that the sādhaka must firmly resolve that his goal is the attainment of the Supreme Being (Paramātmā), not the enjoyment of pleasures (bhoga) or accumulation (saṅgraha). If such vigilance consistently remains in the sādhaka, his intellect becomes steady. Connection (Sambandha)—The difference between one whose senses are completely subdued and ordinary human beings is explained in the next verse.