इन्द्रियाणां हि चरतां यन्मनोऽनुविधीयते। तदस्य हरति प्रज्ञां वायुर्नावमिवाम्भसि।।2.67।।
indriyanam hi charatam yan mano anuvidhiyate; tad asya harati prajnam vayuh navam iva ambhasi.
Translation
Just as a strong wind can sweep a boat off its course on water, a sense that the mind clings to can draw away the intellect.
Word Meanings
indriyāṇām — of the senses; hi — certainly; caratāṁ — while roaming; yan — which; manoḥ — the mind; anuvidhīyate — becomes constantly engaged; tad — that; asya — his; harati — takes away; prajñāṁ — intelligence; vāyuḥ — wind; nāvam — a boat; iva — like; ambhasi — on the water
Understanding the Verse
In Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gītā, Krishna explains the subtle mechanics of the mind‑senses‑intellect complex, laying the foundation for disciplined yoga. Verse 2.67 follows the discussion on self‑control and the dangers of uncontrolled desire. Here Krishna uses a vivid natural metaphor: the wind (vāyuḥ) easily overturns a boat (nāva) on the water. The analogy illustrates how a single sense, when seized by the wandering mind (cāratā), can destabilise the intellect (prajñā), leading the seeker away from the path of wisdom.
Literally, the verse says that the senses, ever in motion, are constantly engaged by the mind. When the mind attaches itself to any sense object, that sense’s influence ‘takes away’ the intellect, just as the wind drives a boat away from its intended course. The boat represents the intellect’s steady navigation, while the wind symbolizes the restless energy of the senses. If the mind does not regulate this wind, the intellect loses its direction, resulting in confusion, mis‑judgment, and ultimately, spiritual regression.
Philosophically, the verse underscores the hierarchical relationship among the three faculties: senses (indriya), mind (manas), and intellect (prajñā). The senses are external channels that feed impressions to the mind; the mind processes and amplifies them, and the intellect is the discriminative faculty that can either remain steady or be displaced. When the mind becomes preoccupied with sense‑objects, it overwhelms the intellect, causing it to wander like a boat without a rudder. This displacement is the root cause of attachment (rāga) and aversion (dveṣa), which bind the soul to the cycle of birth and death (samsāra).
Practically, Krishna’s warning invites the practitioner to cultivate sense‑control (indriya‑niyama) through discipline, meditation, and detachment. Techniques such as breath awareness (prāṇāyāma), mantra repetition, and focused meditation help temper the mind’s restless tendencies, allowing the intellect to regain its firm footing. By observing the senses without identification, the aspirant prevents the wind of desire from steering the boat astray, thereby sustaining clarity, equanimity, and progress on the path of self‑realisation.
In modern life, where sensory overstimulation is ubiquitous—through media, advertising, and constant connectivity—the message of 2.67 is profoundly relevant. It reminds us that unchecked sensory input can easily derail our inner guidance system, leading to anxiety, impulsive choices, and loss of purpose. Embracing the ancient wisdom of regulating the senses restores balance, enabling the intellect to navigate life’s waters with confidence and serenity.
