Shloka 21
Nīti-saṅgraha: Conduct, Association, Kali-yuga Decline, and the Supremacy of Vidyā
कुरङ्गमातङ्गपतङ्गंभृग मीना हताः पञ्चबिरेव पञ्च / एकः प्रमाथी स कथं न घात्यो यः सेवते पञ्चभिरेव पञ्च
kuraṅgamātaṅgapataṅgaṃbhṛga mīnā hatāḥ pañcabireva pañca / ekaḥ pramāthī sa kathaṃ na ghātyo yaḥ sevate pañcabhireva pañca
Hirsch, Elefant, Motte, Biene und Fisch — diese fünf gehen zugrunde, jeder durch nur ein einziges Sinnesobjekt. Wie sollte dann der vom Begehren Getriebene nicht zugrunde gehen, der sich allen fünf durch alle fünf Sinne hingibt?
Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Each creature falls by one dominant sense-object; a human who indulges all five senses is at greater risk—therefore practice indriya-nigraha (sense-restraint).
Vedantic Theme: Indriya-vijaya as prerequisite for inner peace; bondage arises from attachment to vishayas (sense-objects).
Application: Adopt disciplined consumption (food, media, sex, speech), cultivate mindfulness, and set boundaries that reduce sensory over-stimulation.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.115 (sense-control and ethical instruction)
FAQs
This verse warns that even one uncontrolled sense can cause ruin; therefore mastery of all five senses is essential to avoid moral downfall and the karmic suffering that follows.
By highlighting how desire overpowers a person, it points to the karmic chain: indulgence → harmful actions/attachments → heavier consequences that obstruct the soul’s auspicious post-death journey.
Practice moderation and vigilance over each sense (food, speech, sexuality, consumption, and entertainment), because a single unchecked craving can escalate into broader ethical and spiritual harm.