Shloka 27
अलर्कोपाख्यानम् — Indriya-Nigraha and Yogic Victory
Mahābhārata 14.30
सुसमाहितचेतास्तु स ततो$चिन्तयत् प्रभु: । स विचिन्त्य चिरं कालमलर्को द्विजसत्तम
susamāhitacetāstu sa tato 'cintayat prabhuḥ | sa vicintya ciraṃ kālam alarko dvijasattamaḥ ||
With his mind perfectly composed, that powerful one then began to reflect. After pondering for a long time, Alarka—the foremost among the twice-born—arrived at his considered resolve.
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical necessity of inner composure (samādhāna of mind) and sustained deliberation before arriving at a decision—suggesting that right action (dharma) is grounded in calm reflection rather than impulse.
The brāhmaṇa narrator describes Alarka as settling his mind and thinking deeply for a long time; the scene marks a transition where careful contemplation precedes the next decisive step in the story.