Shloka 46
Adhyāya 42 — Mahābhūta–Indriya–Adhyātma-Vyavasthā
Brahmā’s Instruction on Elements and Faculties
विद्वान् कूर्म इवाज्रानि कामान् संहृत्य सर्वश: । विरजा: सर्वतो मुक्तो यो नर: स सुखी सदा
vidvān kūrma ivāṅgāni kāmān saṁhṛtya sarvaśaḥ | virajaḥ sarvato mukto yo naraḥ sa sukhī sadā ||
Vāyu said: “Just as a tortoise draws in its limbs from every side, so too the wise person gathers in and restrains all desires on every side. Freed from rajas (restless passion) and released from every kind of bondage, such a person remains happy always.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Happiness and freedom come from disciplined withdrawal of desires: the wise person restrains cravings in all directions, becomes free of rajas (restless passion), and thereby is liberated from binding attachments.
Vāyudeva is instructing the listener with a vivid simile: as a tortoise retracts its limbs for protection, a wise person retracts and contains desires, leading to inner steadiness and lasting well-being.