तस्माद्यस्य महाबाहो निगृहीतानि सर्वश: ।
इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ॥ २.६८ ॥

tasmād-yasya mahā-bāho nigṛhītāni sarvaśaḥ |
indriyāṇīndriyārthebhyas-tasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā || 2.68 ||

Krishna concludes the discussion on sensory restraint with the summary statement :

“Let none think of Sthita-prajnata,” warns Krishna, “if he is not able to hold back his senses from the objects around”. With the outgoing turbulence of the senses, the mind can never hope to become stable and still. Instead of having the senses driving the mind, he emphasizes, the mind must have its full control over the senses. This will be possible only when the mind reflects constantly upon the Soul and gains adequate inner spiritual strength. Senses receive their impetus from the mind alone. When the mind is sufficiently sublimated and strengthened by the reflection upon the imperishable Soul, its influence will be felt upon the senses. The elaborate instructions about the Soul, the description of the Sankhya Yoga followed by that of Karma Yoga, were given by Krishna only to enlighten the buddhi and strengthen the mind of Arjuna.

In our land the call of asceticism has always been pronounced. It is because our people have always recognized the supreme need for sensory restraint to become happy, contented and fulfilled. Without sensory restraint, spiritual life has no meaning and relevance. With sensory restraint, it becomes easy, natural and harmonious too. Somehow, this truth has been reflected by our tradition right from the Vedic times. In pursuit of spiritual life and its excellences, there have always been men and women in this great land who are prepared to embrace asceticism and go to any extent of perfection in it. That is how we find so many Brahmacharins and Sanyasins to whom the pursuit of spiritual wisdom alone holds appeal and compulsion. Mere study and scholarliness in Vedantic Philosophy do not make one a genuine seeker. An ardent seeker always wants to reinforce himself with the unique merits of asceticism. Enriched by ascetic merits alone, one is able to impart the great spiritual wisdom to committed seekers. Devoid of ascetic sublimation, the message often falls short of its destined power and purpose.

Both in Sri Rama’s and Sri Krishna’s life, it is this ascetic merits and magnificence that you find displayed in whatever they did and spoke. Even this Bhagavadgeeta, a splendid unparalleled dialogue on spiritual wisdom, is the outcome of such ascetic excellence which Krishna gained and mastered so well.