यदा संहरते चायं कूर्मोऽङ्गानीव सर्वशः ।
इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ॥ ५८ ॥
yadā sanharate chāyaṁ kūrmo ’ṅgānīva sarvaśhaḥ
indriyāṇīndriyārthebhyas tasya prajñā pratiṣhṭhitā
जब कोई मनुष्य अपनी इंद्रियों को बाहरी विकर्षणों से दूर कर लेता है, जिस प्रकार कछुआ अपने अंगों को अपने खोल में समेट लेता है, तो उसे पूर्ण ज्ञान में दृढ़ता से स्थापित माना जाना चाहिए।
When a person withdraws their senses from external distractions, like a tortoise withdraws its limbs into its shell, he is to be considered firmly established in perfect wisdom.
In Bhagavad Gita 2.58, Lord Krishna continues answering Arjuna's question about how a self-realized person (sthita-prajna) behaves by using a powerful natural metaphor. The verse states: "One who is able to withdraw the senses from their objects, just as a tortoise withdraws its limbs into its shell, is established in divine wisdom."
This verse follows Krishna's explanation of the characteristics of one who has attained spiritual wisdom. Here, he illustrates the practical application of sense control through the vivid example of a tortoise. Just as a tortoise instinctively withdraws its vulnerable limbs into its protective shell when sensing danger, a spiritually evolved person can similarly withdraw their senses from objects that might disturb their spiritual consciousness.
The Sanskrit text "yada samharate chaayam koormangaaneeva sarvashaha, indriyaanindriyaarthabhyastasya prajna pratishtitaa" precisely captures this concept of conscious sensory withdrawal. Krishna is not advocating for complete sensory deprivation but rather for mindful control over when and how the senses engage with external stimuli. This represents a form of spiritual intelligence – knowing when to engage and when to withdraw.
It's important to understand that Krishna is not suggesting the complete cessation of sensory activity. Rather, he emphasizes that senses "are to be used at proper time, but not at the dictation of the senses." This distinction is crucial – the spiritually advanced person uses their senses consciously according to higher purpose rather than being driven by sensory cravings. They maintain sovereignty over their sensory experiences rather than becoming slaves to them.
The verse introduces the concept of "vairāgya" or detachment – not as rejection of the world, but as freedom from being controlled by material desires. The tortoise shell metaphor represents our intelligence or discriminative faculty that helps us discern which sensory engagements support our spiritual growth and which ones hinder it. A person established in wisdom (prajna pratishtitaa) makes choices based on spiritual purpose rather than fleeting pleasure.
This verse follows Krishna's earlier discussion of factors that disturb equanimity – joy, sorrow, gain, and loss. The tortoise metaphor offers a practical solution: when confronted with potentially disturbing situations, one can consciously withdraw attention, like the tortoise pulling in its limbs. This represents not avoidance but mastery – the ability to engage with the world without being overwhelmed by it.
Ultimately, verse 2.58 describes a key characteristic of spiritual maturity – the capacity for self-regulation. The test of a true yogi or self-realized soul is precisely this ability to "control the senses according to his plan." The verse elegantly captures the essence of spiritual discipline: not rigid suppression of natural functions, but their conscious alignment with higher purpose through intelligent discernment. This capacity for selective engagement and withdrawal represents true spiritual freedom.
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