Shloka 39
सदाचार-नियमाः: शील, संयम, संग-निषेध, शुचिता, वाणी-नीति, परोपकारः
नोर्ध्वं न तिर्यग् दूरं वा निरीक्षन् पर्यटेद् बुधः युगमात्रं महीपृष्ठं नरो गच्छेद् विलोकयन्
nordhvaṃ na tiryag dūraṃ vā nirīkṣan paryaṭed budhaḥ yugamātraṃ mahīpṛṣṭhaṃ naro gacched vilokayan
Let the wise wander without looking upward, sideways, or far away; for a man who walks while constantly looking about advances on earth only a yuga’s measure.
Sage Parāśara (in instruction to Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: mindfulness in conduct: avoiding distracted looking while walking; the cost of scattered attention
Teaching: Ethical
Quality: practical and admonitory
Concept: Uncontrolled attention dissipates one’s progress; disciplined focus in small acts mirrors the inner steadiness required for spiritual advance.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Practice single-tasking and sensory restraint (indriya-nigraha): walk, study, and pray with collected awareness to reduce mental scattering.
Vishishtadvaita: Control of senses supports sustained remembrance of Nārāyaṇa; practical mindfulness becomes a limb of bhakti through uninterrupted smaraṇa.
Bhakti Type: Shanta
FAQs
This verse treats distraction as a direct obstacle to progress: the wise limit scattered looking so their movement—outer and inner—remains purposeful and steady.
By linking restless observation with reduced progress, Parāśara frames attention as a form of tapas and yogic restraint that protects one’s momentum in dharma.
Though Vishnu is not named in the verse, the discipline taught supports the Vaishnava aim of steady mind and senses—conditions for sustained remembrance of the Supreme (Vishnu) and alignment with cosmic order.