Bhagavad Gita · Verse 2.58
Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (सांख्ययोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
यदा संहरते चायं कूर्मोऽङ्गानीव सर्वशः । इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ॥५८॥
yadā saṃharate cāyaṃ kūrmo'ṅgānīva sarvaśaḥ | indriyāṇīndriyārthebhyastasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā ||58||
Complete Shloka Translation
When a person withdraws the senses from their objects completely, as a tortoise draws in its limbs, that person's wisdom is established.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| कूर्मः | kūrmaḥ | tortoise |
| संहरते | saṃharate | withdraws |
| यदा | yadā | [term] in context of When a person withdraws the se... |
| चायं | cāyaṃ | [term] in context of When a person withdraws the se... |
| कूर्मोऽङ्गानीव | kūrmo'ṅgānīva | [term] in context of When a person withdraws the se... |
| सर्वशः | sarvaśaḥ | [term] in context of When a person withdraws the se... |
| इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्तस्य | indriyāṇīndriyārthebhyastasya | [term] in context of When a person withdraws the se... |
| प्रज्ञा | prajñā | [term] in context of When a person withdraws the se... |
| प्रतिष्ठिता | pratiṣṭhitā | [term] in context of When a person withdraws the se... |
| ५८ | pratiṣṭhitā | [term] in context of When a person withdraws the se... |
tortoise
withdraws
[term] in context of When a person withdraws the se...
[term] in context of When a person withdraws the se...
[term] in context of When a person withdraws the se...
[term] in context of When a person withdraws the se...
[term] in context of When a person withdraws the se...
[term] in context of When a person withdraws the se...
[term] in context of When a person withdraws the se...
[term] in context of When a person withdraws the se...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The tortoise illustrates deliberate withdrawal. Later verses also describe moving among sense objects with restraint, so this is not the whole account of practice.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"The image suggests the capacity to pause engagement rather than follow every stimulus."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Where would deliberately pausing sensory engagement help you see more clearly?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse when facing identity crisis or fear of failure: distinguish the unchanging inner self from transient life situations, and act with full dedication without anxiety over the final outcome.