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यदा संहरते चायं कूर्मोऽङ्गानीव सर्वशः। इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता।।2.58।।

yadā sanharate chāyaṁ kūrmo ’ṅgānīva sarvaśhaḥ indriyāṇīndriyārthebhyas tasya prajñā pratiṣhṭhitā

Sanskrit Chant Recitation
Chapter 2, Verse 58
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Scripture Translation Room

Sanskrit to English Translation

Translator:
When, like the tortoise which withdraws all its limbs on all sides, he withdraws his senses from the sense-objects, then his wisdom becomes steady.

A Reading - Rantideb

Why: the tortoise pulling its limbs inward works as an image because it's not about eliminating the senses, only about being able to withdraw them when the moment calls for it.

In life: you don't need to permanently avoid distraction or stimulation, you need the ability to pull back from it when it matters.

Teaching: practice deliberately withdrawing attention, from your phone, from a conversation, from a craving, on purpose sometimes, so the ability is there when you actually need it.

yadāwhen
sanharatewithdraw
chaand
ayamthis
kūrmaḥtortoise
aṅgānilimbs
ivaas
sarvaśhaḥfully
indriyāṇisenses
indriya-arthebhyaḥfrom the sense objects
tasyahis
prajñādivine wisdom
pratiṣhṭhitāfixed in

Deep Classical Commentary (Bhashya)

Author:
2.58 यदा when? संहरते withdraws? च and? अयम् this (Yogi)? कूर्मः tortoise? अङ्गानि limbs? इव like? सर्वशः everywhere? इन्द्रियाणि the senses? इन्द्रियार्थेभ्यः from the senseobjects? तस्य of him? प्रज्ञा wisdom प्रतिष्ठिता is steadied.Commentary Withdrawal of the senses is Pratyahara or abstraction. The mind has a natural,tendency to run towards external objects. The Yogi again and again withdraws the mind from the objects of the senses and fixes it on the Self. A Yogi who is endowed with the power of Pratyahara can enter into Samadhi even in a crowded place by withdrawing his senses within the twinkling of an eye. He is not disturbed by tumultuous sounds and noises of any description. Even on the battlefield he can rest in his centre? the Self? by withdrawing his senses. He who practises Pratyahara is dead to the world. He will not be affected by the outside vibrations. At any time by mere willing he can bring his senses under his perfect control. They are his obedient servants or instruments.