Shloka 48

Adhyāya 42 — Mahābhūta–Indriya–Adhyātma-Vyavasthā

Brahmā’s Instruction on Elements and Faculties

Devanagari script

इन्द्रियाणां निरोधेन सर्वेषां विषयैषिणाम्‌ । मुनेर्जनपदत्यागादध्यात्माग्नि: समिध्यते

Transliteration

indriyāṇāṃ nirodhena sarveṣāṃ viṣayaiṣiṇām | muner janapada-tyāgād adhyātmāgniḥ samidhyate ||

Translation

Vāyu berkata: Dengan mengekang semua indria yang mengejar objek-objek kenikmatan, dan dengan seorang muni menarik diri dari hiruk-pikuk tempat ramai, api batin pengetahuan adhyātma tersulut dan bersinar kian terang.

Word by Word

• इन्द्रियाणाम्: of the senses
• इन्द्रियाणाम्: Sambandha
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्द्रिय
• Form: Neuter, Genitive, Plural

• निरोधेन: by restraint/cessation
• निरोधेन: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: निरोध
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• सर्वेषाम्: of all
• सर्वेषाम्: Sambandha
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व
• Form: Neuter, Genitive, Plural

• विषयैषिणाम्: of those seeking sense-objects
• विषयैषिणाम्: Sambandha
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विषयैषिन्
• Form: Neuter, Genitive, Plural

• मुनेः: of the sage
• मुनेः: Sambandha
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• जनपदत्यागात्: from abandoning inhabited regions/settlements
• जनपदत्यागात्: Apadana
• Type: Noun
• Root: जनपद-त्याग
• Form: Masculine, Ablative, Singular

• अध्यात्माग्निः: the inner/spiritual fire
• अध्यात्माग्निः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: अध्यात्म-अग्नि
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• समिध्यते: is kindled / blazes forth
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-इध्
• Form: Present, 3rd, Singular, Atmanepada, Passive/Reflexive (intransitive sense)

Speaker

वायुदेव उवाच

Characters & Entities

• वायुदेव (Vāyu)
• मुनि (sage)
• इन्द्रिय (senses)
• विषय (sense-objects)
• जनपद (inhabited region/settlement)
• अध्यात्माग्नि (inner spiritual fire)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse teaches that spiritual illumination increases through two linked disciplines: (1) restraining the senses that chase pleasures, and (2) stepping away from social noise and distractions. Together they kindle the ‘inner fire’ of adhyātma—self-knowledge and inward steadiness—supporting ethical living and clarity of judgment.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vāyu (the Wind-god) is speaking and instructing about ascetic practice. He explains how a muni’s deliberate control of the senses and withdrawal from populated places strengthens inner spiritual power and insight, presenting a model of disciplined renunciation within the broader Mahābhārata discourse on dharma.