Shloka 9
अलर्कोपाख्यानम् — Indriya-Nigraha and Yogic Victory
Mahābhārata 14.30
अलर्क उवाच आप्राय सुबहून् गन्धांस्तानेव प्रतिगृध्यति । तस्माद् घ्राणं प्रति शरान् प्रतिमोक्ष्याम्पहं शितान्,अलर्कने कहा--मेरी यह नासिका अनेक प्रकारकी सुगन्धियोंका अनुभव करके भी फिर उन्हींकी इच्छा करती है, इसलिये इन तीखे बाणोंको मैं इस नासिकापर ही छोड़ूँगा
alarka uvāca āprāya subahūn gandhāṁs tān eva pratigṛdhyati | tasmād ghrāṇaṁ prati śarān pratimokṣyāmy ahaṁ śitān ||
Alarka said: “Though my nose has already experienced many fragrances, it still hankers after those very scents again. Therefore I shall discharge these sharp arrows straight at this nose.”
अलर्क उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even after repeated enjoyment, the senses can continue to crave the same objects; recognizing this, one should restrain the sense-organs and cut off the cycle of desire rather than feeding it.
Alarka reflects on the nose’s persistent craving for fragrances despite prior enjoyment and declares an extreme, symbolic act—aiming sharp arrows at the nose—to dramatize his resolve to punish and control the sense that drives attachment.