Bhagavad Gita · Verse 15.9
Chapter 15: Purushottama Yoga (पुरुषोत्तमयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
श्रोत्रं चक्षुः स्पर्शनं च रसनं घ्राणमेव च । अधिष्ठाय मनश्चायं विषयानुपसेवते ॥९॥
śrotraṃ cakṣuḥ sparśanaṃ ca rasanaṃ ghrāṇameva ca | adhiṣṭhāya manaścāyaṃ viṣayānupasevate ||9||
Complete Shloka Translation
Presiding over hearing, sight, touch, taste and smell, as well as the mind, this living self experiences the objects of the senses.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| श्रोत्र | śrotra | faculty of hearing |
| मनस् | manas | mind |
| श्रोत्रं | śrotraṃ | [term] in context of Presiding over hearing, sight,... |
| चक्षुः | cakṣuḥ | [term] in context of Presiding over hearing, sight,... |
| स्पर्शनं | sparśanaṃ | [term] in context of Presiding over hearing, sight,... |
| रसनं | ca | [term] in context of Presiding over hearing, sight,... |
| घ्राणमेव | rasanaṃ | [term] in context of Presiding over hearing, sight,... |
| अधिष्ठाय | ghrāṇameva | [term] in context of Presiding over hearing, sight,... |
| मनश्चायं | ca | [term] in context of Presiding over hearing, sight,... |
| विषयानुपसेवते | adhiṣṭhāya | [term] in context of Presiding over hearing, sight,... |
faculty of hearing
mind
[term] in context of Presiding over hearing, sight,...
[term] in context of Presiding over hearing, sight,...
[term] in context of Presiding over hearing, sight,...
[term] in context of Presiding over hearing, sight,...
[term] in context of Presiding over hearing, sight,...
[term] in context of Presiding over hearing, sight,...
[term] in context of Presiding over hearing, sight,...
[term] in context of Presiding over hearing, sight,...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Krishna identifies the channels through which embodied experience occurs. The mind participates alongside the five senses, making the verse a bridge between the account of rebirth and the question of recognizing the self within experience.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Observe a sensory experience before immediately judging or pursuing it."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Can you observe a sensation before pursuing it?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to master daily focus: anchor your consciousness in higher values, let go of anxious attachment to results, and act with integrity and kindness in every endeavor.