Shloka 26
वीणानां वल्लकीनां च नूपुराणां च सिज्जितै: । हासैश्न हरिणाक्षीणां सुप्त: स प्रतिबोध्यते,वह वीणा और वल्लकीके मधुर गुंजन, मृगनयनी युवतियोंके नूपुरोंकी मनोहर झनकारों तथा हास-परिहासके शब्दोंको श्रवण करके नींदसे जागता है
vīṇānāṁ vallakīnām ca nūpurāṇāṁ ca siñjitaiḥ | hāsaiś ca hariṇākṣīṇāṁ suptaḥ sa pratibodhyate ||
Though asleep, he is awakened by the sweet resonance of vīṇās and vallakīs, by the charming jingling of women’s anklets, and by the playful laughter of doe-eyed maidens.
वसिष्ठ उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse illustrates the power of sensory stimuli—music, ornament-sounds, and flirtatious laughter—to rouse and attract the mind, implying an ethical warning: one seeking steadiness, restraint, or higher dharma must be vigilant about sense-objects that disturb inner composure.
Vasiṣṭha describes a person who, even while asleep, is awakened by alluring sounds—musical instruments, anklets, and the laughter of beautiful women—using this as an example to emphasize how quickly attachment can stir consciousness and redirect attention toward pleasure.