Shloka 71
उद्योगपर्व — अध्याय 33: धृतराष्ट्र-विदुर संवादः (विदुरनीतिः)
निजानुत्पतत: शत्रून्ू पजच पउठ्चप्रयोजनान् । यो मोहान्न निगृह्नाति तमापद् ग्रसते नरम्,जो पाँच विषयोंकी ओर दौड़नेवाले अपने पाँच इन्द्रियरूपी शत्रुओंको मोहके कारण वशमें नहीं करता, उस मनुष्यको विपत्ति ग्रस लेती है
nijān utpatataḥ śatrūn pañca pañca-prayojanān | yo mohān na nigṛhṇāti tam āpad grasate naram ||
Vidura says: The five sense-faculties, ever rushing outward toward their five respective objects, are like a man’s own inner enemies. Whoever, through delusion, does not restrain these enemies is inevitably seized by calamity—his lack of self-mastery becomes the doorway through which misfortune enters.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Unrestrained senses behave like internal enemies: when a person, out of delusion, fails to control the senses that run toward their objects, misfortune overtakes him. Ethical stability and safety depend on indriya-nigraha (sense-restraint).
In Vidura’s counsel (Vidura-nīti) during the Udyoga Parva, he instructs on practical dharma for rulers and individuals. Here he warns that inner discipline—especially mastery over the senses—is essential; otherwise one becomes vulnerable to downfall and संकट (āpad).