“As a boat is swept away by wind on water, so the mind following the senses is carried away.”
Key Teaching: An uncontrolled mind, following senses, loses stability.
Theme: Guidance, Dharma, Sthita-Prajna.
Description: Krishna compares the mind following senses to a boat swept away by wind on water, emphasizing the loss of stability. This verse, part of the sthita-prajna discourse (2.55–66), addresses Arjuna’s sensory-driven grief (1.28–46). The themes of guidance, as Krishna instructs, dharma, as he clarifies duty, and sthita-prajna, as he warns against sensory distraction, are central.
In the Mahabharata, Arjuna’s attachment to kin (1.26–27) reflects sensory influence. Krishna’s analogy contrasts with Duryodhana’s sensory ambition (1.3–11), urging Arjuna to control his mind to fulfill his Kshatriya duty, aligning with Karma Yoga’s discipline (2.47–48).
Philosophically, this verse addresses the human vulnerability to sensory distractions, a theme Krishna refines with teachings on sense control (2.58–61). Arjuna’s grief complicates his dharma, necessitating Krishna’s guidance to stabilize the mind. The theme of sthita-prajna underscores the Gita’s focus on mental control.
Sanjaya’s narration frames Krishna’s analogy objectively, emphasizing its vivid clarity. This verse serves as a metaphor for life’s instability, where sense control ensures steadiness. Krishna’s teaching prepares readers for performing duty with discipline, avoiding sensory drift.
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