यदा संहरते चायं कूर्मोऽङ्गानीव सर्वशः ।
इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ॥ ५८ ॥
yadā saṃharate cāyaṃ kūrmo'ṅgānīva sarvaśaḥ
indriyāṇīndriyārthebhyastasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā
yadā saṃharate cāyaṃ kūrmo'ṅgānīva sarvaśaḥ
indriyāṇīndriyārthebhyastasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā
Word by word
Translation
When, like a tortoise drawing in its limbs from every side, one withdraws the senses from their objects, then one's wisdom is firmly established.
जैसे कछुआ अपने अंगों को सब ओर से समेट लेता है, वैसे ही जब यह व्यक्ति इंद्रियों को उनके विषयों से पूरी तरह हटा लेता है, तब उसकी बुद्धि स्थिर होती है।
Explanation
The example of the tortoise: the moment it senses danger it draws its limbs inside, and it puts them out again when needed. The sthitaprajna too is the master of the senses, not their slave, and can withdraw them from their objects at will.
How this verse connects
Frequently asked questions
In which verse of the Gita is the example of the tortoise?
In Bhagavad Gita 2.58: just as a tortoise draws in its limbs, the sthitaprajna withdraws the senses from their objects.
Sources
- Original text: Bhagavad Gita (Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva)
- English and Hindi translation, explanation: SanatanBodh editorial team
Something wrong? Report a mistake
