यदा संहरते चायं कूर्मोऽङ्गानीव सर्वशः । इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ॥
जैसा कासवाचां अवयवीं । आपणयां आपणचि सामावीं । तैसीं इंद्रियें आपैतीं होवीं । जयाचीं गा ॥ २५८ ॥
"As the tortoise pulls in its limbs from all sides, so does he who withdraws his senses from the objects of sense; his wisdom is established."
🔍 Deep Interpretation
Saint Dnyaneshwar uses the metaphor of a tortoise to describe a person of steady wisdom. Just as a tortoise withdraws its limbs into its hard shell for protection or at will, a wise person withdraws their senses from worldly objects. This mastery over the senses ensures that the intellect remains focused on the inner self rather than being scattered by external temptations. It highlights that true strength lies in the ability to restrain one's impulses.
🎯 Practical Application
In daily life, when faced with distractions like junk food or excessive screen time, practicing the 'tortoise method' of withdrawing focus helps in maintaining discipline. Example: Choosing to focus on a work project instead of checking constant phone notifications.
📌 Context
Lord Krishna explains the characteristics of a person with stable wisdom (Sthitaprajna) to Arjuna, emphasizing the control of senses.