indriyāṇāṁ hi charatāṁ yan mano ’nuvidhīyate
tadasya harati prajñāṁ vāyur nāvam ivāmbhasi
Just as a strong wind sweeps a boat off its chartered course on the water, even one of the senses on which the mind focuses can lead the intellect astray.
Word by Word Meaning:
indriyāṇām - of the senses
hi - indeed
charatām - roaming
yat - which
manaḥ - the mind
anuvidhīyate - becomes constantly engaged
tat - that
asya - of that
harati - carries away
prajñām - intellect
vāyuḥ - wind
nāvam - boat
iva - as
ambhasi - on the water