Shloka 18
अलर्कोपाख्यानम् — Indriya-Nigraha and Yogic Victory
Mahābhārata 14.30
अलर्क उवाच श्रुत्वा तु विविधान् शब्दांस्तानेव प्रतिगृध्यति । तस्माच्छोत्रं प्रति शरान् प्रतिमुड्चाम्पहं शितान्
alarka uvāca śrutvā tu vividhān śabdāṁs tān eva pratigṛdhyati | tasmāc chrotraṁ prati śarān pratimuñcāmy ahaṁ śitān ||
Dijo Alarka: «El oído, tras escuchar sonidos de muchas clases, sigue ansiando esos mismos sonidos una y otra vez. Por eso descargaré estas flechas afiladas contra la facultad de oír».
अलर्क उवाच
Educational Q&A
Attachment begins at the level of the senses: repeated hearing of pleasing or varied sounds strengthens craving. The verse frames ethical self-mastery as restraining the sense-faculty itself, symbolically treating sense-indulgence as an enemy to be checked.
Alarka reflects on how the ear becomes addicted to diverse sounds and declares his intent to ‘shoot’ sharp arrows at the organ of hearing—an intense, symbolic act expressing determination to conquer sensory desire through severe discipline.