Shloka 48
चलानि हीमानि षडिन्द्रियाणि तेषां यद् यद् वर्धते यत्र यत्र । ततस्ततः ख्रवते बुद्धिरस्य छिद्रोदकुम्भादिव नित्यमम्भ:,ये छः इन्द्रियाँ बहुत ही चंचल हैं; इनमेंसे जो-जो इन्द्रिय जिस-जिस विषयकी ओर बढ़ती है, वहाँ-वहाँ बुद्धि उसी प्रकार क्षीण होती है, जैसे फूटे घड़ेसे पानी सदा चू जाता है
calāni hīmāni ṣaḍindriyāṇi teṣāṃ yad yad vardhate yatra yatra | tatastataḥ kṣarate buddhir asya chidrodakumbhād iva nityam ambhaḥ ||
Vidura says: The six senses are indeed fickle and ever-moving. Whichever sense grows strong and runs toward whatever object, the person’s discernment steadily drains away in that very direction—just as water continually leaks from a cracked water-pot. The ethical point is that unguarded sense-indulgence weakens judgment and self-mastery, which are essential for righteous conduct and sound counsel.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
If the senses are allowed to chase their objects unchecked, a person’s buddhi (discernment) steadily weakens. Ethical living requires guarding the senses so that judgment remains firm and capable of choosing dharma over impulse.
In the Udyoga Parva’s counsel-setting, Vidura instructs and warns about inner discipline. He uses a vivid simile—water leaking from a cracked pot—to show how a ruler or any person loses clarity and stability when the senses dominate.