Gita : Ch-2. Slo-67.

Srimad Bhagavad-Gita :


Chapter-2. ( Samkya-yogam )


Chapter-67. ( As a boat on the water is swept away by a strong wind, even one of the senses on which the mind focuses can carry away a man's intelligence.)





Indriynnam    hi    caratam     yanmanonuvidhiyate,



tadasya    harati     prajnam    vayurnavamivambhasi.
 




caratam  =  herding  over  vishayas  ( sensuous   objects ) / Having relationship with  pleasure giving objects,;

Indriyannam  =  of  sense-organs;

Yat  manonuvidhiyate,  tat  =  that  mind   wandering  behind   ( becomes  constantly  engaged  that );

Ambhasi  =  in  the  water;

Navam  vayuh  iva   =   like   wind   disturbing   the  boat;

Asya   prajnam   =  his  vivekam  ( common-sense / ability   of    discrimination / intelligence );

Harati  hi  =  ( is )  Taken   away.







Lord Krishna declares that one who is unable to control their mind and senses cannot be in possession of determinate reason. This is because any one of the rambling senses which the mind attaches itself to in pursuit of sense objects has the power to deviate one, taking away even their common sense and compelling them to be oblivious to their highest good which is realisation of the soul. The example given of an unfavourable wind forcibly propelling astray a boat in the water, completely deviating it from its destination is quite apropos.


The reason why one who is uncontrolled is devoid of knowledge is now being stated in this verse. Whichever one of the wandering senses the uncontrolled mind follows, that sense by itself enslaves the mind and carries away all discrimination making one restless for the object of desire. As the wind effortlessly snatches away a boat on the ocean whose helmsman is not in control; similarly the senses of one who is uncontrolled snatches away even their mundane intelligence.


When the senses are rambling about in pursuit of their delights and one allows their mind to follow in hot pursuit after them, then the mind will be deprived of its inherent intelligence and will completely forget all the things that lead to ones highest good. Instead of inducing a strong will to pursue spiritual development one will develop a strong will for sensual enjoyment. Thus Lord Krishna gives this fitting analogy of a ship in the ocean being tossed about violently hither and thither by tempestuous winds. The conclusion of this rational is explained in the next slokam.


A boat in which there is no person to row or sail with control,  and moving in the waters of an ocean , the wild and fast wind almost drown it, to bottom. Likewise, one ( the seeker ) who have no self-control, his state is verily like the boat in the windy waters, whose ( seeker’s ) mind runs along with indriyas ( sense-organs ) towards the pleasure giving sensuous objects.


Thereafter this seeker loses his common-sense, and also left behind from  his goal. Then the seeker move away from yoga-margam ( spiritual path ) to bhoga-margam ( path of pleasures ) , further gradually decay  and perish.


The interest of this  slokam :   Lord Krishna confirms, the self-control on sense-organs only helpful to  the seeker,  be  successful in life.

To be continued  ...