Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 68 (BG 2.68) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

2.68 तस्मात् therefore? यस्य whose? महाबाहो O mightyarmed? निगृहीतानि restrained? सर्वशः completely? इन्द्रियाणि the senses? इन्द्रियार्थेभ्यः from the senseobjects? तस्य his? प्रज्ञा knowledge? प्रतिष्ठिता is steady.Commentary When the senses are completely controlled? the mind cannot wander wildly in the sensual grooves. It becomes steady like the lamp in a windless place. The Yogi is now established in the Self and his knowledge is steady. (Cf.III.7).

Commentaries

Contemporary scholarly and practical interpretations for modern seekers.

This interpretation draws on a specific tradition and may not represent the view of any single school. For authoritative guidance within a specific tradition, seek a qualified teacher.

Modern

When expounding a principle, we do not reveal the final conclusion without presenting sufficient reasoning, however acceptable that conclusion may be. Keeping this in mind, Sri Krishna, after providing Arjuna with the necessary reasoning, arrives at this conclusion in this verse: if we aspire for anything higher in life than mere tears and lamentation and sorrow, then a life of restraint and discipline alone is worth living. That person whose senses are completely mastered and withdrawn from the objects of sense perception is truly established in wisdom. The mastery of the senses should not be understood to mean that the wise person's senses become useless or incapable of perceiving objects. Weakness of the senses is not a sign of knowledge. It means only this: the perception of objects cannot disturb the peace of his mind, nor can anything shake his equanimity. The ignorant person is a slave to his senses, whereas the person established in wisdom is their master. Clarifying the characteristics of the wise one, the Blessed Lord continues: