Chapter 2, Verse 68
तस्माद्यस्य महाबाहो निगृहीतानि सर्वशः । इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ॥
tasmād yasya mahā-bāho nigṛhītāni sarvaśaḥ indriyāṇīndriyārthebhyas tasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā
Meaning
Therefore, O mighty-armed Arjuna, the wisdom of one whose senses are completely restrained from their objects is firmly established.
Word-by-Word Meaning
Explanation & Commentary
This verse serves as the definitive conclusion to the series of teachings on sense control that has been building since verse 58. After illustrating through metaphor the devastating effect of uncontrolled senses on wisdom (the boat blown by wind), Krishna now states the positive conclusion with the recurring, rhythmic affirmation: 'tasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā' — the wisdom of such a one is firmly established.
The address 'mahā-bāho' — O mighty-armed one — is significant in context. Arjuna is being reminded of his own potential and power. The might of arms that makes him a fearsome warrior on the battlefield must also be brought to bear inwardly, in the battle for mastery of the senses. This is not a different kind of strength but the same quality of resolve applied to the inner life. The greatest external achievements are rendered hollow without this corresponding internal conquest.
The word 'nigṛhītāni' (restrained, held firmly) paired with 'sarvaśaḥ' (completely, from all sides) emphasizes that this is not a partial achievement. Half-measures in sense control — controlling some senses while remaining enslaved to others — are insufficient for the establishment of lasting wisdom. This is a demanding standard, but the Gita presents it as achievable and as the only reliable basis for the stable, joyful, liberated life that every human being genuinely seeks.
💡 Key Takeaway
The wisdom of one whose senses are completely restrained from their objects is firmly and lastingly established.
Related Verses
श्रीभगवानुवाच | अशोच्यानन्वशोचस्त्वं प्रज्ञावादांश्च भाषसे | गतासूनगतासूंश्च नानुशोचन्ति पण्डिताः ॥११॥
śrī bhagavān uvāca | aśocyān anvaśocas tvaṃ prajñāvādāṃś ca bhāṣase | gatāsūn agatāsūṃś ca nānuśocanti paṇḍitāḥ ||11||
The Blessed Lord said: You are grieving for those who should not be grieved for, yet you speak words of wisdom. The wise grieve neither for the living nor for the dead.
यामिमां पुष्पितां वाचं प्रवदन्त्यविपश्चितः । वेदवादरताः पार्थ नान्यदस्तीति वादिनः ॥
yām imāṃ puṣpitāṃ vācaṃ pravadanty avipaścitaḥ | veda-vāda-ratāḥ pārtha nānyad astīti vādinaḥ ||
The undiscerning, O Arjuna, who are attached to the flowery language of the Vedas and who declare that there is nothing higher than the rituals they prescribe — they speak ornately but without wisdom. Their language is beautiful like flowers, but flowers that produce no fruit of genuine spiritual understanding.
दूरेण ह्यवरं कर्म बुद्धियोगाद्धनञ्जय । बुद्धौ शरणमन्विच्छ कृपणाः फलहेतवः ॥
dūreṇa hy avaraṃ karma buddhi-yogād dhanañjaya buddhau śaraṇam anviccha kṛpaṇāḥ phala-hetavaḥ
O Dhananjaya, keep all inferior works far away from the yoga of intelligence. Seek refuge in divine intelligence. Those who are motivated by the fruits of their action are misers.