Shloka 23
सप्तहोतृ-विधानम् एवं इन्द्रिय–मनःसंवादः
The Seven Hotṛs and the Debate of Senses and Mind
बलवन्तो हानियमा नियमा दुर्बलीयसाम् । भोगानपूर्वानादत्स्व नोच्छिष्टं भोक्तुमहति,आप-जैसे बलवान् लोग नियमोंके बन्धनमें नहीं रहते, नियम तो दुर्बलोंके लिये होते हैं। आप नये ढंगसे नवीन भोगोंका अनुभव कीजिये। हमलोगोंकी जूठन खाना आपको शोभा नहीं देता
balavanto hāniyamā niyamā durbalīyasām | bhogān apūrvān ādatsva no cchiṣṭaṃ bhoktum arhati ||
Mind said: “The strong are not meant to be bound by restrictive rules; such restraints are for the weaker. Take up unprecedented pleasures in new ways. It does not befit you to live on what is left over by others.”
मन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents the mind’s seductive argument that power excuses one from moral restraints and that one should pursue novel pleasures; ethically, it exemplifies a common inner rationalization that dharma and self-discipline are unnecessary for the ‘strong,’ a view the broader tradition typically critiques.
In a dialogue framed as an inner debate, the speaker ‘Mind’ urges the listener to abandon niyamas (restraints) and seek fresh enjoyments, claiming it is unworthy to accept what is ‘left over’—a push toward indulgence and self-assertion.