Sense control

Yada sanharate cayam kurmo 'nganiva sarvashah, indriyanindriyarthebhyas tasya prajna pratishthita

One who is able to withdraw the senses from their objects, just as a tortoise withdraws its limbs into its shell, is established in divine wisdom.

Vishaya vinivartante niraharasya dehinah, rasa-varjam raso 'py asya param drishtva nivartate

The objects of the senses turn away from those who abstain from them, but the taste remains. However, even this taste ceases for those who have seen the Supreme.

Karmendriyani samyamya ya aste manasa smaran, indriyarthan vimudhatma mithyacarah sa ucyate

One who restrains the organs of action but mentally dwells on sense objects is a hypocrite and is called a false renunciant. True renunciation requires inner detachment, not merely outward restraint.

Yas tv indriyani manasa niyamyarabhate 'rjuna, karmendriyaih karma-yogam asaktah sa vishishyate

But one who controls the senses with the mind and engages in karma yoga through the organs of action, without attachment — that person is far superior. Genuine karma yoga unites mental control with engaged, detached action.

Tasmat tvam indriyany adau niyamya bharatarshabha, papmanam prajahi hy enam jnana-vijnana-nashanam

Therefore, O best of the Bharatas, at the outset control the senses and slay this destroyer of knowledge and self-realization, the embodiment of sin.

Shraddhaval labhate jnanam tat-parah samyatendriyah, jnanam labdhva param shantim acirenadhigacchati

Those who have faith, are devoted, and have mastered their senses quickly attain divine knowledge. Upon attaining such knowledge, they soon achieve supreme peace.

Tatraikagram manah kritvva yata-cittendriya-kriyah, upavisyasane yunjyad yogam atma-vishudhaye

Seated there, with mind one-pointed and the activities of mind and senses controlled, one should practice yoga for the purification of the self. The purpose of all these outer preparations is this singular aim: the purification of the inner self through one-pointed yoga.

Sanniyamyendriya-grāmaṁ sarvatra sama-buddhayaḥ, te prāpnuvanti mām eva sarva-bhūta-hite ratāḥ

Those who, with complete control of the senses and with equal-mindedness in all conditions, are engaged in the welfare of all beings — they also come to Me.