2.67. For when the mind follows even a single wandering sense, that mind, like the wind, carries away one's wisdom, just as a boat is carried away on the waters.
Commentary: This human birth is attained solely for the realization of God. Therefore, one's firm resolve should be: "I must attain God alone, come what may." When the goal is firm, the importance of enjoyments fades from the seeker's ego. With that importance gone, the resolute intellect (vyavasāyātmikā buddhi) becomes firm. But until that resolute intellect becomes firm, what is its state? That is being described here.
When a seeker engages in the field of action, objects for the senses inevitably appear before them. Among these, whichever sense develops attachment to its object, that sense makes the mind its follower, draws the mind along with it. Consequently, the mind begins to enjoy the pleasure of that object, meaning a sense of pleasure, a desire for enjoyment arises in the mind; the mind becomes colored by that object, its importance becomes established. For example, while eating, if a particular taste is experienced, the sense of taste becomes attached to it. Upon becoming attached, the sense of taste pulls the mind along, and the mind becomes pleased and delighted in that taste.
When the importance of an object becomes established in the mind, that mind alone carries away the seeker's wisdom, meaning, instead of duty-consciousness, a desire for enjoyment arises in the seeker. Due to this desire for enjoyment, the resolute intellect—"I must attain God alone"—does not remain in the seeker. While analyzing this takes time, the intellect is swayed instantly; meaning, the moment a sense makes the mind its follower, a desire for enjoyment arises in the mind and at that very moment, the intellect is vanquished.
How that wisdom is carried away is explained with an illustration: Just as the wind carries away a boat upon the waters, so does the mind carry away the intellect. For instance, a person is crossing a river or ocean by boat to reach their destination. If at that time a contrary wind blows, that wind carries the boat away from the destination. Similarly, a seeker, having boarded the boat of resolute intellect, is crossing the ocean of worldly existence and moving towards God. Then, a single sense which makes the mind its follower, that mind alone carries away the boat of intellect, meaning, takes it towards worldly existence. Consequently, the seeker develops a sense of pleasure in objects and a sense of importance in the useful things of the world.
The wind disturbs the boat in two ways: it diverts the boat from its path or sinks it in the water. However, if there is a skillful helmsman, he makes the action of the wind favorable, so that the wind cannot take the boat off its course; on the contrary, it helps reach the destination. Similarly, the mind, having become a follower of the senses, disturbs the intellect in two ways: it suppresses the determination for God-realization by producing a desire for enjoyment, or it causes downfall by engaging in forbidden enjoyments. But for one whose mind and senses are under control, the mind does not disturb the intellect; on the contrary, it helps in reaching God (2.64-65).
Connection: The reason why an undisciplined person lacks a resolute intellect was stated in the previous verse. Now, to describe the state of one who is disciplined, the following verse is spoken.
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