Understanding the senses' influence and achieving the mental mastery with Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 60

Hare Krishna, today we will proceed on our journey with 60th verse of second chapter from Bhagavad Gita. As it is the Sanskrit text is as follows. Yet Tohiya Piconte Purushasya Vipash Chitaha Indriyani Pramathini Haranti Prasabham Manaha. The English translation is as follows. The senses are so strong and impetuous or Arjuna, that they forcibly drag away the mind even of a man of discrimination who is endeavouring to control them. Persons who possess vision and discrimination, who endeavour to pursue spiritual reality and strive to control themselves, find that even their senses are wild and overpowering. The senses forcefully drag away the mind and completely seize it. Krishna mentioned in the 58th verse of the same chapter to withdraw the senses like a tortoise withdraws its limbs. Krishna states that however one strives to do so, the senses are so powerful that they drag the mind outward. An example of this is Vishwamitra. When the jingling sound of the ankle bell entered his mind, it kindled his imagination. Once the imagination is triggered, it bursts upward and fills with fantasies of pleasure. When we make resolution to give up something unhealthy, we often relapse. In this war, temptation attacks us with the weapon of inner torment, with the sense of being deprived of pleasure. Over time, that sense of deprivation becomes so unbearable that we indulge not because indulging is so joyful, but because resisting is so painful. Now the question arises how to give up the indulgence? We can understand this by taking the case of Alcoholics. Alcoholics often stay addicted not because they love alcohol so much, but because they believe they have no other accessible way to fill their need for relief or comfort. Unless they can fill that void with something more positive, more meaningful, and more fulfilling, they will find themselves relapsing to alcoholism no matter how much they resolve to give it up. In this verse, Krishna states that mere renunciation is difficult to sustain even for those with great discernment and determination. Therefore, in the next verse, Krishna recommends that we focus our mind on Him, thereby centering our life on His love and service. To overcome any negative habit, focus not on disengagement, focus on engagement. That will be discussed in the next verse. Till then, Hare Krishna we will discuss 61st shloka from second chapter in the next episode.