A core teaching · reflective in mood · a little context helps
“Restraint fails without disciplined senses.”
Even for a wise person who strives, the turbulent senses can forcibly carry away the mind.
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
Read literallyfor one striving · indeed · even · O son of Kunti · of a person · of the wise · the senses · restless, turbulent · carry away · forcibly · the mind
Even a thoughtful person who is trying hard can lose control when the senses become restless and drag the mind away.
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Sankhya Yoga" (The Yoga of Knowledge).
Verse 60 sits in Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita — Sankhya Yoga, "The Yoga of Knowledge". The chapter has 72 verses in total.
A recovering gambler with years of discipline walks past a betting shop on a bad day and feels the old pull. Years of effort don't make anyone immune, so he keeps his guard up.
Did you like this verse?
Krishna warns that restless senses can drag away the mind of even a wise, careful person.
What this verse means
Even a thoughtful person who is trying hard can lose control when the senses become restless and drag the mind away.
Context & commentary
Arjuna has begun learning self-mastery from Krishna. After warning that desire remains even when objects are withdrawn, Krishna adds the harder truth: even a wise person can be overpowered by restless senses. The mind needs steady, disciplined protection.
What it looks like today
A recovering gambler with years of discipline walks past a betting shop on a bad day and feels the old pull. Years of effort don't make anyone immune, so he keeps his guard up.
“Willpower alone is not enough; the senses need training too.”
Explore related themes: manas (49 verses), indriya (19 verses), self mastery (16 verses)