Word meanings
- sadṛśam
- accordingly
- ceṣṭate
- act
- svasyāḥ
- by their own
- prakṛteḥ
- modes of nature
- jñāna-vān
- the wise
- api
- even
- prakṛtim
- nature
- yānti
- follow
- bhūtāni
- all living beings
- nigrahaḥ
- repression
- kim
- what
- kariṣyati
- will do
Translations
Even a wise man acts in accordance with his own nature; beings will follow their nature; what can restraint do?
Even the wise man acts in accordance with his nature; indeed, all creatures act according to their natures. What is the use of compulsion then?
Even a man of wisdom behaves according to his own nature. They follow their nature. What can restraint do?
सम्पूर्ण प्राणी प्रकृतिको प्राप्त होते हैं। ज्ञानी महापुरुष भी अपनी प्रकृतिके अनुसार चेष्टा करता है। फिर इसमें किसीका हठ क्या करेगा?Commentary
He who reads this verse will come to the conclusion that there is no scope for mans personal exertion. It is not so. Read the following verse. It clearly indicates that man can coner Nature if he rises above the sway of Raga-Dvesha (love and hatred). The passionate and ignorant man only comes under the sway of his natural propensities, and his lower nature. He cannot have any restraint over the senses and the two currents of likes and dislikes. The seeker after Truth who is endowed with the four means, and who is constantly practising meditation can easily control Nature.
(Cf.II.60V.14XVIII.59).