ततः परमा वश्यतेन्द्रियाणाम्॥५५॥
tataH = from this; paramaa = highest; vashyatA = control; indriyaaNaam = of the senses;
Sw. Satchidananda
"Then follows supreme mastery over the senses."
Bryant
"From this comes the highest control of the senses."
Taimni
"Then follows the greatest mastery over the senses."
Discussion
Vyasa, in his commentary talks about various ways in which one can presume to have control over the senses. Some might say that not being addicted to (the word used by Vyasa is a-vyasana) the senses of sight, sound etc. is being in control of the senses. What that means is that one can continue to indulge and enjoy the five senses as long as one does not get too deeply attached. Others might say that enjoyment of sense objects not forbidden by scriptures is sense control. Some others might say that control implies experiencing the objects only as a result of free will, not drawn in by the objects. Still others might say that experiencing sense objects without feelings of happiness or misery is sense control.
These are all different grades of control but do not lead to total control that is talked about in this sutra. Completely eliminating any contact with the objects is final controllability (talked about in this sutra) and comes about when the mind is fully one-pointed. Any stage other than the last stage can take us back to a state of no control over senses. Even a snake expert would not sleep next to a venomous snake thinking that he knows how to control snakes.
In the Bhagavad Purana, there is a story about Sage Saubhari. The sage, to avoid lure of senses, undertook meditation under waters of river Yamuna (implying perfect sense and breath control – kumbhaka). However, while under water he happened to see two fish mating which aroused his passion. He gives up meditation and goes to the king begging his daughter’s hand in marriage. This story goes to show that any relaxation in the control over the senses can bring you back to being a slave of the sense objects.
Another story worth noting is that of Sita in Ramayana. She is a true example of perfect sense control despite multiple lures by her captor, Rāvaṇa.
In the Bhagavad Gita also, there are many verses that talk about sense control. Below is a sample of a few of these verses:
“The senses are so strong and impetuous, O Arjuna, that they forcibly carry away the mind even of a man of discrimination who is endeavoring to control them.” BG 2.60
“One who restrains his senses, keeping them under full control, and fixes his consciousness upon Me, is known as a man of steady intelligence.“ BG 2.61
“The pleasures that arise from contact with the sense objects, though appearing as enjoyable to worldly-minded people, are verily a source of misery. O son of Kunti, such pleasures have a beginning and an end, and so the wise do not delight in them.” BG 5.22
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