Verse 2.99

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation by Ganganath Jha:

इन्द्रियाणां तु सर्वेषां यद्येकं क्षरतीन्द्रियम् ।
तेनास्य क्षरति प्रज्ञा दृतेः पादादिवोदकम् ॥ ९९ ॥

indriyāṇāṃ tu sarveṣāṃ yadyekaṃ kṣaratīndriyam |
tenāsya kṣarati prajñā dṛteḥ pādādivodakam || 99 ||

From among all the organs, if one happens to ooze out, then thereby his wisdom oozes out, just like water from one part of the leathern bag.—(99)

 

Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):

[In the term ‘indriyāṇāṃ’] the Genitive has the force of specification.

If even one organ happens to ooze out;—i.e., if on functioning freely in regard to its object, it is not checked,—then ‘his wisdom oozes out’;—i.e., his steadiness in regard to the other organs also (disappears).

‘Leathern bag’;—a vessel for carrying water, made of the skin of the goat and other animals. Even though all the other parts of this bag be closed, if water trickles out of a single part of it, the whole bag becomes empty.

In the same manner, the man’s steadiness acquired through continuous practice of wisdom,—or even true wisdom and knowledge itself—(becomes entirely lost). That is, being addicted to several objects, he has his mind always turned towards them, so that the subjects dealt with by reasonings and scriptures do not present themselves to him in the right manner.—(99)

 

Explanatory notes by Ganganath Jha

‘Prajñā’—‘Wisdom, control over the senses’ (Medhātithi, Govindarāja, and Rāghavānanda);—‘knowledge of truth’ (Kullūka).

‘Pādāt’—This may be taken literally in the sense of foot; as Hopkins rightly remarks—“The hide often is used in oriental countries complete, each leg being made water-tight.” This is indicated by Medhātithi’s remarks also.

This verse is quoted in Vīramitrodaya (Saṃskāra, p. 493) where the ‘dṛti’ is explained as a ‘leathern bag.’ It is quoted to show that during studentship the strict observance of the vows and restraints is essential.

 

Comparative notes by various authors

Kaṭha, (3. 7).—‘He who is devoid of wisdom, his mind not firm,—his organs get beyond control,—like vicious horses under the charioteer.’

Bhagavadgītā, (3. 67).—‘When the mind follows in the wake of the roaming senses, it deprives him of his wisdom, and it is lost like the boat at sea.’