Shloka 193
अलर्कोपाख्यानम् — Indriya-Nigraha and Yogic Victory
Mahābhārata 14.30
अन्यान् बाणान् समीक्षस्व यैस्त्वं मां सूदयिष्यसि । श्रोत्रने कहा--अलर्क! ये बाण मुझे किसी प्रकार नहीं छेद सकते। ये तुम्हारे ही मर्मस्थानोंको विदीर्ण करेंगे। तब तुम जीवनसे हाथ धो बैठोगे। अतः तुम अन्य प्रकारके बाणोंकी खोज करो, जिनसे मुझे मार सकोगे
anyān bāṇān samīkṣasva yais tvaṃ māṃ sūdayiṣyasi |
“Look for other arrows—those by which you think you can truly slay me.” Then the Ear said: “Alarka, these arrows cannot pierce me in any way. They will tear open your own vital points, and then you will lose your life. Therefore, seek other arrows by which you could kill me.”
अलर्क उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not persist in a harmful course when it is ineffective; reassess your means and understand that misdirected aggression can rebound upon the aggressor.
Alarka addresses an opponent in a martial context, dismissing the current arrows as insufficient and challenging the attacker to seek other weapons capable of defeating him.