Bhagavad Gita — Sankhya Yoga, Shloka 61

Sankhya Yoga

Devanagari script

तानि सर्वाणि संयम्य युक्त आसीत मत्परः । वशे हि यस्येन्द्रियाणि तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ॥ २.६१ ॥

Transliteration

tāni sarvāṇi saṃyamya yukta āsīta mat-paraḥ | vaśe hi yasyendriyāṇi tasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā || 2.61 ||

Translation

Having restrained them all, one should sit steadfast in yoga, devoted to Me; for he whose senses are under control—his wisdom is firmly established.

Gita Press Meaning

उन सब (इन्द्रियों) को संयम में रखकर, मुझमें परायण होकर युक्त बैठना चाहिए; क्योंकि जिसके वश में इन्द्रियाँ हैं, उसकी प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठित है।

Critical Edition Meaning

Having restrained them all, one should sit disciplined, with Me as the supreme aim; for the one whose senses are under control—his wisdom is firmly established.

Comparative Note

‘Mat-paraḥ’ is interpreted theistically as devotion to Krishna; in broader philosophical terms, it can indicate orientation to the highest principle/goal taught by Krishna. ‘Āsīta’ (‘should sit’) may imply meditative composure as a method of stabilization.

Word by Word

• तानि: those (things)
• तानि: Karma
• Root: तद्

• सर्वाणि: all
• सर्वाणि: Karma
• Root: सर्व

• संयम्य: having restrained (controlled)
• Root: सम्-यम् (√यम्)

• युक्तः: disciplined; yoked (in yoga)
• Root: युज् (√युज्)

• आसीत्: should sit; should remain
• Root: आस् (√आस्)

• मत्परः: having Me as the supreme goal; devoted to Me
• Root: मत् + पर

• वशे: in (his) control; under mastery
• वशे: Adhikarana
• Root: वश

• हि: indeed; for
• Root: हि

• यस्य: of whom; whose
• Root: यद्

• इन्द्रियाणि: the senses
• इन्द्रियाणि: Karta
• Root: इन्द्रिय

• तस्य: of that (person); his
• Root: तद्

• प्रज्ञा: wisdom; steady understanding
• प्रज्ञा: Karta
• Root: प्रज्ञा

• प्रतिष्ठिता: is firmly established
• Root: प्र-स्था (√स्था)

Speakers

• Krishna

Primary Concepts

• Saṃyama (restraint)
• Yoga (discipline/integration)
• Īśvara-bhakti / God-orientation
• Indriya-vaśyatā (mastery of senses)

Key Themes

• Method for steadiness
• Orientation to the highest
• Integration of devotion and discipline

FAQs

Psychological significance?

It proposes a two-part strategy: inhibit impulsive sensory engagement and anchor motivation in a stable, higher goal to reduce distraction.

Metaphysical meaning?

The ‘highest aim’ functions as an ultimate reference point (Self/Supreme) that stabilizes cognition and desire.

Contextual relevance?

It answers the prior warning (2.60) by prescribing disciplined restraint and a unifying orientation.

Modern Application?

Combining attention training with a clear life-purpose (ethical or spiritual) can strengthen self-regulation and reduce compulsive behaviors.