Shloka 12
Adhyāya 249 — Mṛtyu-prādurbhāvaḥ (The Manifestation of Death) / Restraint of Tejas and Ordered Saṃhāra
सर्वतःस्रोतसं घोरां नदीं लोकप्रवाहिनीम् । पज्चेन्द्रियग्राहवती मन:संकल्परोधसम्
sarvataḥ-srotasaṃ ghorāṃ nadīṃ loka-pravāhinīm | pañcendriya-grāhavatī manaḥ-saṅkalpa-rodhasam ||
Vyāsa said: “This saṃsāra is a terrifying river that carries along all the worlds. Its streams run in every direction. Within it, the five sense-faculties are like five crocodiles, and the mind’s intentions and imaginings form its banks. It is hard to cross for those who have not mastered themselves; but with purified understanding one can pass beyond it.”
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
Saṃsāra is portrayed as a dangerous river: the senses seize like crocodiles and the mind’s constructions shape one’s boundaries. The implied teaching is that liberation requires restraint of the senses and purification of the intellect so one can ‘cross’ beyond worldly bondage.
Vyāsa is instructing the listener through an extended metaphor. He characterizes worldly life as a powerful current that sweeps beings along, warning of inner dangers (senses and mental resolve) and pointing toward the means of overcoming them (self-control and purified understanding).