Bhagavad Gita · Verse 2.67
Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (सांख्ययोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
इन्द्रियाणां हि चरतां यन्मनोऽनुविधीयते । तदस्य हरति प्रज्ञां वायुर्नावमिवाम्भसि ॥६७॥
indriyāṇāṃ hi caratāṃ yanmano'nuvidhīyate | tadasya harati prajñāṃ vāyurnāvamivāmbhasi ||67||
Complete Shloka Translation
When the mind follows the roaming senses, it carries away discernment as the wind drives a boat off course on water.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| नावम् | nāvam | boat |
| वायुः | vāyuḥ | wind |
| इन्द्रियाणां | indriyāṇāṃ | [term] in context of When the mind follows the roam... |
| हि | hi | [term] in context of When the mind follows the roam... |
| चरतां | caratāṃ | [term] in context of When the mind follows the roam... |
| यन्मनोऽनुविधीयते | yanmano'nuvidhīyate | [term] in context of When the mind follows the roam... |
| तदस्य | tadasya | [term] in context of When the mind follows the roam... |
| हरति | harati | [term] in context of When the mind follows the roam... |
| प्रज्ञां | prajñāṃ | [term] in context of When the mind follows the roam... |
| वायुर्नावमिवाम्भसि | vāyurnāvamivāmbhasi | [term] in context of When the mind follows the roam... |
| ६७ | vāyurnāvamivāmbhasi | [term] in context of When the mind follows the roam... |
boat
wind
[term] in context of When the mind follows the roam...
[term] in context of When the mind follows the roam...
[term] in context of When the mind follows the roam...
[term] in context of When the mind follows the roam...
[term] in context of When the mind follows the roam...
[term] in context of When the mind follows the roam...
[term] in context of When the mind follows the roam...
[term] in context of When the mind follows the roam...
[term] in context of When the mind follows the roam...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The point is not that sensory life is inherently wrong. Judgment is displaced when the mind is carried wherever an ungoverned sense impulse leads.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"The boat image shows what happens when attention loses its direction."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What most often pulls your attention away from your intended direction?
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.