Bhagavad Gita 2.60
Spoken by Krishna · Verse 60 of 72
यततो ह्यपि कौन्तेय पुरुषस्य विपश्चितः । इन्द्रियाणि प्रमाथीनि हरन्ति प्रसभं मनः ॥
yatato hy api kaunteya puruṣasya vipaścitaḥ | indriyāṇi pramāthīni haranti prasabhaṃ manaḥ ||
Even the striving wise man's mind is forcibly stolen by turbulent senses. This is honest — not shameful.
Word by word (3)
- yatataḥ vipaścitaḥ
- — even of the striving wise man · Yatataḥ = one who strives, one who makes effort (from yat, to strive). Vipaścit = discerning, wise, learned. The force of the verse is in 'api' (even): even the striving, discerning man is not immune. This is not pessimism — it is honest recognition of the senses' power.
- pramāthīni indriyāṇi
- — the turbulent / agitating senses · Pramāthin from pra+math (to agitate, to churn, to overwhelm). The same root gives the name Pramatha — the churning ones. The senses are described as inherently agitating — not neutral instruments but actively turbulent forces that seek stimulation.
- haranti prasabhaṃ manaḥ
- — forcibly carry away the mind · Haranti = they carry away, they steal (from hṛ — the same root as Hari, one who 'takes away' sins). Prasabham = by force, violently. The image is of the mind being abducted — not gently tempted but forcibly seized. This vivid language respects the genuine power of sensory pull.
O Arjuna, even a wise man who is actively striving — the turbulent, agitating senses can violently carry away his mind. This is how powerful they are.
A modern analogy
A seasoned meditator with years of practice sits down and within five minutes is thinking about the argument they had yesterday. The senses — memories, sounds, physical sensations — have pulled the mind away without permission. This is not failure; it is the honest description of what the senses do. The verse is compassionate: even the wise person faces this.
Take with you
- The forcible carrying-away of the mind by senses is universal — not a sign of spiritual failure.
- Recognizing the senses' power honestly is the first step; pretending you are above it is the second mistake.
- This verse is encouragement in disguise: if even the wise person struggles, your struggle is normal and workable.
- The goal is not to never be pulled — it is to notice the pulling more quickly and return with less drama.
Public-domain translations (5) compare all →
O Kaunteya, the turbulent senses forcibly carry away the mind even of a man of discrimination who strives for self-control. [1]
The turbulent senses, O son of Kunti, do violently carry away the mind of even a wise man who is striving after perfection. [4]
The senses are so turbulent, O son of Kunti, that they violently carry away the mind of even a wise man earnestly striving for perfection. [6]
The mind that lends itself to drive the tides Of senses in, even of one who strives To conquer — if the passions mount, they will Bear him away. [7]
The turbulent senses, O son of Kunti, do violently carry away the mind of even a wise man though he strive against it. [9]
This verse speaks to
Where this thread continues
Control all senses, sit in yoga focused on the Supreme — that one's wisdom stands unshakable.
Rāga and dveṣa lie in every sense-object. Do not come under their power — they are enemies on the path.
Restless, turbulent, strong, unyielding — O Krishna, restraining the mind is as hard as restraining the wind.
O Madhusūdana — I see no stable foundation for this yoga: the mind's restlessness defeats all steadiness.
Those who know Me as Adhibhūta, Adhidaiva, and Adhiyajña — they know Me even at death, with unified minds.
Mind-in-Me, devotee, worshiper, bow to Me — you will come to Me; truly I promise, you are dear to Me.
Verse 60 of 72 · back to Chapter 2