इन्द्रियाणां हि चरतां यन्मनोऽनुविधीयते ।
तदस्य हरति प्रज्ञां वायुर्नावमिवाम्भसि ॥
तदस्य हरति प्रज्ञां वायुर्नावमिवाम्भसि ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
अपनेअपने विषयोंमें विचरती हुई इन्द्रियोंमेंसे एक ही इन्द्रिय जिस मनको अपना अनुगामी बना लेती है, वह अकेला मन जलमें नौकाको वायुकी तरह इसकी बुद्धिको हर लेता है ॥
English
As the winds carry a boat on water, even one roaming sense can sweep away the mind's discernment.
What this verse means
If even one sense runs after its objects, it can pull the mind along and destroy clear judgment, like wind pushing a boat off course.
Context & commentary
On Kurukshetra, Arjuna is still frozen, and Krishna is showing why inner control matters before action begins. Even one sense chasing its object can drag the mind away and sink discernment, just as wind overturns a boat.
Why this verse still matters
You open one app “for a minute,” then your focus is gone. A single unchecked pull can scatter the whole mind before you notice.
The takeaway
A small lapse of attention can undo a lot of inner steadiness.
Word-by-word translation
इन्द्रियाणाम् (of the senses) / हि (indeed) / चरताम् (roaming) / यत् (which) / मनः (the mind) / अनुविधीयते (follows after) / तत् (that) / अस्य (of this one) / हरति (takes away) / प्रज्ञाम् (discernment) / वायुः (the wind) / नावम् इव (like a boat) / अम्भसि (on water)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga — The Yoga of Knowledge, which contains 72 verses.
Explore related themes: manas (49 verses), buddhi (26 verses), indriya (19 verses)