Bhagavad Gita 2.58
Chapter 2, verse 58
Meaning
When a person can draw the senses back from their objects, the way a tortoise pulls its limbs fully into its shell, their wisdom stands firm.
The Sanskrit
यदा संहरते चायं कूर्मोऽङ्गानीव सर्वशः ।
इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ॥ ५८ ॥
yadā saṃharate cāyaṃ kūrmo 'ṅgānīva sarvaśaḥ
indriyāṇīndriyārthebhyas tasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā
Say it
yuh-daa sum-huh-ruh-tay chaa-yum koor-mo ngaa-nee-vuh sur-vuh-shuh-hu
in-dri-yaa-nee-n-dri-yaar-thay-bhyus tuh-syuh pruj-nyaa pruh-tish-thi-taa
Word by word
- yadā saṃharate
- when they withdraw / draw in
- ayam
- this one (the sage)
- kūrmaḥ aṅgāni iva
- like a tortoise (withdraws) its limbs
- sarvaśaḥ
- completely, from all sides
- indriyāṇi indriya-arthebhyaḥ
- the senses from the objects of the senses
- tasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā
- their wisdom stands firm
Read it in context: verses 2.57–60Like a tortoise drawing in its limbsWith the story so far, commentary, and today's lesson: Saying no is not yet being free
Another translation and audio recitation: verse 2.58 on holy-bhagavad-gita.org.
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