Chapter 2 · Sankhya Yoga - The Yoga of KnowledgeKrishna
Verse 58
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 2, श्लोक 58
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
यदा संहरते चायं कूर्मोऽङ्गानीव सर्वशः।
इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता॥५८॥
Transliteration
Yada Samharate Cha-Ayam Kurmo'nganiva Sarvashah.
Indriyanindri-Yarthebhyas-Tasya Prajna Pratishthita.||58||
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
यदाyadawhen
संहरतेsamharatewithdraws
अयम्ayamthis person
कूर्मःkurmahtortoise
अङ्गानिanganilimbs
इवivalike
सर्वशःsarvashahcompletely
इन्द्रियाणिindriyanisenses
इन्द्रियार्थेभ्यःindriya-arthebhyahfrom sense objects
तस्यtasyahis
प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिताprajna pratishthitawisdom is established
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
जैसे कछुआ अपने सब अंगों को समेट लेता है, वैसे ही जब यह पुरुष इन्द्रियों को विषयों से सर्वथा समेट लेता है, तब उसकी प्रज्ञा स्थिर है।
English Translation
When, like a tortoise that withdraws its limbs from all sides, one completely withdraws the senses from their objects, that person's wisdom is firmly established.
Commentary (टीका)
The tortoise analogy is one of the Gita's most beautiful images. Just as a tortoise can retract its limbs at will for protection, the wise person can withdraw the senses from their objects at will. This is not permanent sensory deprivation but the ability to control sensory engagement consciously.