Shloka 26
अलर्कोपाख्यानम् — Indriya-Nigraha and Yogic Victory
Mahābhārata 14.30
ब्राह्मण उवाच ततोअलर्कस्तपो घोर तत्रैवास्थाय दुष्करम् | नाध्यगच्छत् परं शक््त्या बाणमेतेषु सप्तसु
brāhmaṇa uvāca tato 'larkas tapo ghoraṁ tatraivāsthāya duṣkaram | nādhyagacchat paraṁ śaktyā bāṇam eteṣu saptasu ||
قال البراهمن: «يا إلهة، بعد ذلك أقام ألاركا في الموضع نفسه، جالسًا تحت تلك الشجرة، وأخذ بتقشّفٍ شديدٍ عسير. غير أنه، على كثرة ما بذل من قوة، لم يجد بين تلك السهام السبعة سهمًا أسمى يقدر أن يقهر النفس والعقل مع الحواس الخمس.»
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even intense effort and power may fail to yield an external means (a weapon) for mastering the inner faculties; the verse underscores the ethical idea that true victory lies in conquering mind and senses, which is not easily achieved through outward instruments.
After earlier events, Alarka stays in the same place and performs severe austerities, seeking an unsurpassed arrow among a set of seven; despite his effort, he cannot find a weapon fit to subdue mind, intellect, and the five senses.