tasmād yasya mahā-bāho nigṛihītāni sarvaśhaḥ
indriyāṇīndriyārthebhyas tasya prajñā pratiṣhṭhitā
tasmāt — therefore;
yasya — whose;
mahā-bāho — mighty-armed one;
nigṛihītāni — restrained;
sarvaśhaḥ — completely;
indriyāṇi — senses;
indriya-arthebhyaḥ — from sense objects;
tasya — of that person;
prajñā — transcendental knowledge;
pratiṣhṭhitā — remains fixed
In this verse, Lord Krishna is telling Arjuna about the power of self-control. Imagine your senses, like your eyes, ears, and taste, as if they are like a wild horse running around. If you let them run free, they can lead you into distractions or temptations, just like a wild horse can run off with you. But if you control these senses, you become much stronger and focused.
Now, think of the idea of a leader or a strong hero—someone who can command respect and inspiration. Just like a hero can keep enemies in check with their strength, self-control allows you to manage your inner distractions.
But here’s the important part: it’s not just about using willpower alone to control your senses. The verse suggests that true control comes from a deeper understanding. When you dedicate your senses to a higher purpose, like worship or service to God, it's like giving them a positive direction. It’s not just about saying, 'I won’t look at this,' or 'I won’t listen to that.' Instead, it’s about channeling your energy towards something meaningful, like spiritual growth or serving others.
Krishna speaks of 'transcendental knowledge.' This is simply knowledge that goes beyond ordinary thinking. It’s about seeing life’s bigger picture and understanding your true purpose. When someone understands that this self-control comes from connecting to a higher power (in this case, recognizing and serving God), they develop what is called 'steady intelligence.' This means they are not easily swayed by outside noises and distractions.
In essence, Lord Krishna is encouraging Arjuna—and all of us—to realize that we can gain strength and clarity from placing our senses under the guidance of a higher cause. If you practice this with support from a wise teacher, you’re on your way to finding peace and becoming a better version of yourself, often referred to as a 'sadhaka.' This term simply means someone who is sincerely trying to attain a higher state of understanding and being.