BG 2.67

indriyanam hi caratam

yan mano ‘nuvidhiyate

tad asya harati prajnam

vayur navam ivambhasi

SYNONYMS

indriyanam — of the senses; hi — certainly; caratam — while roaming; yat — with which; manah — the mind; anuvidhiyate — becomes constantly engaged; tat — that; asya — his; harati — takes away; prajnam — intelligence; vayuh — wind; navam — a boat; iva — like; ambhasi — on the water.

TRANSLATION

As a strong wind sweeps away a boat on the water, even one of the roaming senses on which the mind focuses can carry away a man’s intelligence.

“Kim Varajeta, Krishna is describing how one can be deluded if not careful.

Indriyanam hi caratam – When the senses are wandering, the question arises, Kim Vrajeta yan mano ‘nuvidhiyate – Wherever the mind is fixed

Tad asya harati prajnam – That will drive away intelligence

Vayur navam ivambhasi – Just as the wind sweeps away the boat.

We are in Bhava Sagar (material ocean), and desires are like the winds. We are vulnerable, and we have to protect ourselves. It’s like a ship sailing in the ocean; when there is a weather forecast of a storm, the captain prepares to either change the direction or go slow. Similarly, in the Bhav Sagar, there are areas where storms of material desires are far greater. If we venture into those areas, it becomes more dangerous for us. We all know our stormy areas; there are some general stormy areas, but there are also specific ones for each of us. Therefore, we have to protect ourselves. A storm can sweep us away, but we don’t want to be swept away. So, I will not fall prey. How do we go into this storm? Indriyanam hi caratam, Senses are wandering here and there; they are searching for pleasurable objects. We cannot close our senses, but if we let our mind focus on them, as mentioned earlier in the verse, it is said ‘Dhayato’ – it catches, it stares, and it is devoured. ‘Yan mano ‘nuvidhiyate’ – when the mind becomes focused on them, then what happens -> ‘Tad asya harati prajnam’ -> The mind drags away intelligence, and then one falls off. One is blown away, just as a boat is blown away. It is interesting.

This verse is similar to 2.60, but there is a difference in the sense that in 2.60, we discuss the senses, sense objects, and the mind. The sense is strong and it carries away the mind. Now, in 2.67, we are discussing that when the senses wander, and the mind focuses on them, the mind drags away intelligence.

So, what is the difference? The difference lies in ‘Yukta asit matparah’ – earlier, Krishna was primarily talking about sense control in terms of ‘Kim Asit.’ The question was how does one regulate the senses, and the focus was on withdrawing the senses and regulating them. But now, Krishna is talking about positive engagement. When we are engaged, we have to know what is material and what is spiritual. We should focus on the spiritual and avoid the material. Therefore, it is critical that we be focused on Krishna and not on sense objects. That’s why Krishna is saying the mind should not drag away the intelligence. We are in the world of sense objects, and we will be exposed to danger as the senses will go here and there. Our mind should not be focused on the senses. So, when the senses are focused on one object, and if the mind also focuses there, delusion will begin. Krishna is talking on a higher level. We are following scripture, and by that, our intelligence is built. We should not let the mind go here and there.”