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, one should offer speech together with the tongue into fire; craftsmanship and the two hands to Indra; the power of movement and the legs to Lord Viṣṇu; and sensual pleasure together with the genitals to Prajāpati. The rectum, with the power of evacuation, should be consigned in its proper place to Mṛtyu; the ear, together with sound, to the deities of the directions; the sense of touch, with its objects, to Vāyu; and form, with the power of sight, to the sun. The tongue, along with Varuṇa, should be placed in water, and the power of smell, with its objects, along with the Aśvinī-kumāras, should be placed in 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.