Shloka 46
Adhyāya 42 — Mahābhūta–Indriya–Adhyātma-Vyavasthā
Brahmā’s Instruction on Elements and Faculties
विद्वान् कूर्म इवाज्रानि कामान् संहृत्य सर्वश: । विरजा: सर्वतो मुक्तो यो नर: स सुखी सदा
vidvān kūrma ivāṅgāni kāmān saṁhṛtya sarvaśaḥ | virajaḥ sarvato mukto yo naraḥ sa sukhī sadā ||
Vāyu berkata: “Sebagaimana kura-kura menarik masuk anggota tubuhnya dari segala sisi, demikian pula orang bijak menghimpun dan mengekang semua keinginan dari segala arah. Bebas dari rajas dan terlepas dari segala belenggu, ia senantiasa berbahagia.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Happiness and freedom come from disciplined withdrawal of desires: the wise person restrains cravings in all directions, becomes free of rajas (restless passion), and thereby is liberated from binding attachments.
Vāyudeva is instructing the listener with a vivid simile: as a tortoise retracts its limbs for protection, a wise person retracts and contains desires, leading to inner steadiness and lasting well-being.