The turbulent senses, O Arjuna, do violently carry away the mind of a wise man though he be striving (to control them).
In simple words
Krishna warns Arjuna: "The senses are incredibly powerful. Even a wise person who is trying hard to control their mind can get dragged away by them — like a strong current pulling a swimmer."
Word-by-word meanings
यततःof the strivingहिindeedअपिevenकौन्तेयO Kaunteya (son of Kunti)पुरुषस्यof manविपश्चितः(of the) wiseइन्द्रियाणिthe sensesप्रमाथीनिturbulentहरन्तिcarry awayप्रसभम्violentlyमनःthe mind
2.60 यततः of the striving? हि indeed? अपि even? कौन्तेय O Kaunteya (son of Kunti)? पुरुषस्य of man? विपश्चितः (of the) wise? इन्द्रियाणि the senses? प्रमाथीनि turbulent? हरन्ति carry away? प्रसभम् violently? मनः the mind.Commentary The aspirant should first bring the senses under his control. The senses are like horses. If you keep the horses under your perfect control you can reach your destinaton safely. Turbulent horses will throw you down on the way. Even so the turbulent senses will hurl you down into the objects of the senses and you cannot reach your spiritual destination? viz.? Param Dhama (the supreme abode) or the abode of eternal peace and immortality or Moksha (final liberation). (Cf.III.33V.14).
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
# BG 2.60
In his discourse thus far, Lord Sri Krishna has placed particular emphasis on the capacity of the wise person to govern the senses. In Indian philosophy, principles are not accepted if they lack practical application. Therefore, in the Gita, Sri Krishna instructs Arjuna in those very practices through which he too may attain the perfection of equanimity of mind.
Sattva (discernment), rajas (activity), and tamas (inertia)—these three qualities of nature exert their influence upon every person's inner being. When the quality of sattva becomes corrupted by the veil of tamas and the distraction of rajas, we are compelled to endure countless sufferings. If the senses are not brought under complete mastery, they will forcibly draw the mind toward sense objects, with but one inevitable result: suffering. In this verse, it is acknowledged that even a wise seeker may sometimes find himself in such a state. This statement should not be understood as meant to frighten or discourage anyone. Arjuna is merely cautioned to remain vigilant, lest he ever allow his mind to gain dominion over his intellect. This counsel of vigilance is most timely and necessary.
The fall of many seekers who practice spiritual discipline stems from a single cause. For some years, they remain watchful in their restraint, and as a result, they experience joy. Thereafter, through excessive confidence in themselves, their vigilance toward austerity diminishes, and then the senses naturally and forcibly draw the mind toward sense objects, destroying the seeker's peace.