Shloka 28
भृगु–भरद्वाजसंवादः: वर्णभेदस्य कर्माधारितव्याख्या
Bhrigu–Bharadvaja Dialogue: A Karma-Based Account of Varṇa
परिच्छिद्यैव कामानां सर्वेषां चैव कर्मणाम् | मूल॑ बुद्धीन्द्रियग्रामं शकुन्तानिव पठ्जरे
paricchidyaiva kāmānāṁ sarveṣāṁ caiva karmaṇām | mūlaṁ buddhīndriyagrāmaṁ śakuntān iva pañjare ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Après avoir nettement circonscrit et maîtrisé tous les désirs et toutes les actions, qu’on sache que leur racine est la faculté de discernement de l’esprit, avec tout le “troupeau” des sens. Si l’intelligence et les sens sont tenus en bride —comme des oiseaux enfermés dans une cage— il n’y a plus de raison de craindre.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Desires and actions arise from the interplay of discernment (buddhi) and the senses (indriya-grāma). Ethical steadiness and fearlessness come from restraining and governing these inner instruments rather than letting them roam freely.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and inner discipline, Bhīṣma advises the listener that mastery over intellect and senses is the practical foundation for controlling desire-driven conduct, using the image of birds safely kept within a cage.