Bhagavad Gita BG 2.67
Chapter 2, Verse 67 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
इन्द्रियाणां हि चरतां यन्मनोऽनुविधीयते । तदस्य हरति प्रज्ञां वायुर्नावमिवाम्भसि ॥ ६७ ॥
indriyāṇāṃ hi caratāṃ yan mano 'nuvidhīyate tad asya harati prajñāṃ vāyur nāvam ivāmbhasi
Meaning
Just as a strong wind sweeps away a boat on the water, even one of the wandering senses on which the mind focuses can carry away a man's intelligence.
Understanding
The analogy of a boat in wind: a single strong gust can drive a boat off course. Similarly, if even one sense is allowed to roam freely and the mind follows it ('mano 'nuvidhīyate' — the mind conforms to that sense), it can 'harati prajñām' — carry away the wisdom. Not all senses need to run away — just one uncontrolled sense, with the mind following it, is enough to undo the spiritual work. This explains why vigilance must be constant and comprehensive.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| इन्द्रियाणाम् चरताम् | indriyāṇāṃ caratām | of the wandering senses / of senses that roam |
| अनुविधीयते | anuvidhīyate | follows / conforms to / is led by |
| हरति प्रज्ञाम् | harati prajñām | carries away wisdom / steals intelligence |
| वायुः नावम् इव अम्भसि | vāyuḥ nāvam iva ambhasi | like wind a boat on water |
| हि | hi | for / indeed (causal) |
| यत् | yat | whichever / the one (sense) |
| मनः | manaḥ | the mind (subject of anuvidhīyate) |
| तत् | tat | that (mind, following a sense) |
| अस्य | asya | his / of this person |