Word meanings
- yadā
- when
- sanharate
- withdraw
- ca
- and
- ayam
- this
- kūrmaḥ
- tortoise
- aṅgāni
- limbs
- iva
- as
- sarvaśaḥ
- fully
- indriyāṇi
- senses
- indriya-arthebhyaḥ
- from the sense objects
- tasya
- his
- prajñā
- divine wisdom
- pratiṣṭhitā
- fixed in
Translations
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.
He who can withdraw his senses from the attraction of their objects, as the tortoise draws its limbs within its shell—take it that such a one has attained perfection.
And when one fully withdraws their senses from the objects of the senses, just as a tortoise withdraws its limbs, then their wisdom remains established.
जिस तरह कछुआ अपने अङ्गोंको सब ओरसे समेट लेता है, ऐसे ही जिस कालमें यह कर्मयोगी इन्द्रियोंके विषयोंसे इन्द्रियोंको सब प्रकारसे समेट लेता (हटा लेता) है, तब उसकी बुद्धि प्रतिष्ठित हो जाती है।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.