तस्माद्यस्य महाबाहो निगृहीतानि सर्वशः । इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ॥
tasmād yasya mahābāho nigṛhītāni sarvaśaḥ | indriyāṇīndriyārthebhyas tasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā ||
Therefore: completely withdraw the senses from their objects in all directions. That is established wisdom.
Word by word (3)
- tasmāt
- — therefore / for this reason · Tasmāt draws the conclusion from V58-67 — the entire teaching about sense-withdrawal, the tortoise analogy, the ship analogy — all arrive here at this summative therefore. The word signals: given all of this, here is what follows.
- nigṛhītāni sarvaśaḥ
- — completely / thoroughly restrained in every direction · Nigṛhīta from ni+grah (to hold down, to restrain firmly). Sarvaśaḥ = in all directions, completely, thoroughly. This is V58's tortoise image restated as a conclusion: not partial sense-restraint but complete sarvaśaḥ withdrawal from all objects.
- prajñā pratiṣṭhitā
- — wisdom is firmly established · The fifth repetition of this closing phrase in the sthitaprajña portrait (V55, V56, V57, V58, V68). Each verse adds a new mark and closes with prajñā pratiṣṭhitā — the refrain that anchors the teaching. Like a musical motif, each repetition deepens the meaning.
Therefore, O mighty-armed Arjuna — the one whose senses are completely restrained from sense-objects in every direction: that person's wisdom is firmly established.
A modern analogy
The conclusion of the whole sense-discipline teaching: like closing every window in a room before attempting precise work — not one window half-open, not occasional closures. Sarvaśaḥ (complete, in all directions) is the standard. The person who achieves this completeness of inner governance has established wisdom.
Take with you
- V68 is the summative conclusion of V58-67: the full rationale for sense-discipline is now stated, and the standard is sarvaśaḥ — complete, thorough.
- This is a destination, not an entry requirement. Practice toward it, not from the shame of not yet being there.
- The prajñā pratiṣṭhitā refrain (fifth appearance) anchors the entire sthitaprajña portrait: wisdom is the consistent outcome of each discipline practiced.
- Mahābāho ('mighty-armed') — Krishna addresses Arjuna by his warrior name here. The one capable of physical strength is capable of this inner strength.
V68 closes the first arc of the sthitaprajña portrait (V55-68) with a summative therefore (tasmāt). The verse echoes V58 almost exactly — both end with 'prajñā pratiṣṭhitā' and both speak of sense-withdrawal from sense-objects. The ring structure (V55-68 beginning and ending with inner sufficiency and sense-mastery) is a classical Sanskrit compositional device (anuprāsa) that signals completeness. The teaching of V55-68 is self-contained. V69-72 that follow give the final four images: the day/night reversal (V69), the ocean analogy (V70), the ego-free wanderer (V71), and the brahmi sthiti summation (V72). Shankaracharya notes mahābāho (mighty-armed) as a reminder: the warrior's might must be turned inward — the greatest battle is not Kurukshetra but the inner field.
Modern parallels
The sarvaśaḥ standard in V68 parallels what deep-work researchers call 'complete attention protocol': not partial focus but the thoroughgoing removal of all competing inputs. Cal Newport's research on deep work productivity shows that the quality of output scales non-linearly with the completeness of attention — sarvaśaḥ produces results qualitatively different from 80% attention.
Public-domain translations (5) compare all →
Therefore, O mighty-armed one, his wisdom is firm whose senses are completely restrained from their objects in every direction. [1]
Therefore, O mighty-armed, his wisdom is steady whose senses are completely restrained from their objects. [4]
Therefore, O mighty-armed Arjuna, the wisdom of that man is well-grounded whose senses are in all ways restrained from their objects. [6]
Therefore, O Prince of mighty arms! who draws His senses back from sense, as one who shuts The windows of his house against the sun — He hath wisdom. [7]
Therefore, O you of mighty arms, his knowledge is well-founded whose senses are all completely restrained from the objects of sense. [9]
This verse speaks to
Where this thread continues
Like a tortoise draws in its limbs, the wise one withdraws senses from objects. Wisdom stands firm.
The sage is awake to what all others cannot see. What the world calls 'real' is darkness to the sage.
The faithful, devoted, sense-controlled person attains jñāna — and quickly reaches supreme peace.
Those who know Me as Adhibhūta, Adhidaiva, and Adhiyajña — they know Me even at death, with unified minds.
Control all senses, sit in yoga focused on the Supreme — that one's wisdom stands unshakable.
Tamas — born of ignorance — deludes all beings and binds through carelessness, laziness, and sleep.