Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 28
Brahmacarya and Vānaprastha Duties; Gradual Dissolution of Bodily Identity
वाचमग्नौ सवक्तव्यामिन्द्रे शिल्पं करावपि । पदानि गत्या वयसि रत्योपस्थं प्रजापतौ ॥ २६ ॥ मृत्यौ पायुं विसर्गं च यथास्थानं विनिर्दिशेत् । दिक्षु श्रोत्रं सनादेन स्पर्शेनाध्यात्मनि त्वचम् ॥ २७ ॥ रूपाणि चक्षुषा राजन् ज्योतिष्यभिनिवेशयेत् । अप्सु प्रचेतसा जिह्वां घ्रेयैर्घ्राणं क्षितौ न्यसेत् ॥ २८ ॥
vācam agnau savaktavyām indre śilpaṁ karāv api padāni gatyā vayasi ratyopasthaṁ prajāpatau
Thereafter, the object of speech, along with the sense of speech [the tongue], should be bestowed upon fire. Craftsmanship and the two hands should be given to the demigod Indra. The power of movement and the legs should be given to Lord Viṣṇu. Sensual pleasure, along with the genitals, should be bestowed upon Prajāpati. The rectum, with the power of evacuation, should be bestowed, in its proper place, unto Mṛtyu. The aural instrument, along with sound vibration, should be given to the deities presiding over the directions. The instrument of touch, along with the sense objects of touch, should be given to Vāyu. Form, with the power of sight, should be bestowed upon the sun. The tongue, along with the demigod Varuṇa, should be bestowed upon water, and the power of smell, along with the two Aśvinī-kumāra demigods, should be bestowed upon the earth.
FAQs
In 7.12.28, Śukadeva describes a meditative withdrawal where sight is merged into light, taste into water, and smell into earth—reducing sensory fixation and turning the mind inward.
Parīkṣit was preparing for death through exclusive devotion and detachment; Śukadeva gives practical steps of sense-withdrawal to support steady remembrance of the Supreme.
Practice conscious restraint: reduce overstimulation, redirect the senses to sattvic inputs, and engage them in bhakti (seeing the Deity, tasting prasāda, smelling tulasī/incense) so the senses naturally detach from worldly craving.