Shloka 76
अलर्कोपाख्यानम् — Indriya-Nigraha and Yogic Victory
Mahābhārata 14.30
अन्यान् बाणान् समीक्षस्व यैस्त्वं मां सूदयिष्यसि । मन बोला--अलर्क! तुम्हारे ये बाण मुझे किसी तरह नहीं बींध सकते। यदि इन्हें चलाओगे तो ये तुम्हारे ही मर्मस्थानोंकों चीर डालेंगे और मर्मस्थानोंके चीरे जानेपर तुम्हारी ही मृत्यु होगी; अतः तुम अन्य प्रकारके बाणोंका विचार करो, जिनसे तुम मुझे मार सकोगे
anyān bāṇān samīkṣasva yais tvaṁ māṁ sūdayiṣyasi | mana uvāca—alarka! tavaite bāṇā māṁ kathaṁcid api na vidhyanti | yadi etān mokṣyasi tarhi te tavaiva marma-sthānāni chittvā tvām eva ghnanti; marma-sthāneṣu chinneṣu tavaiva mṛtyur bhaviṣyati | ataḥ tvam anyathā-vidhān bāṇān vicāraya, yaiḥ tvaṁ māṁ hantum śaknuṣyasi ||
Mind said: “Alarka, these arrows of yours cannot pierce me in any way. If you release them, they will instead tear open your own vital points; and when those vital spots are cut, it will be your own death. Therefore, consider other kinds of arrows—means by which you could truly strike me down.” The passage frames a moral warning: misguided aggression rebounds upon the aggressor, and discernment must precede action.
मन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Actions driven by confusion or misdirected hostility can recoil upon oneself; one must examine one’s means and motives, choosing a wiser course rather than persisting in self-destructive aggression.
The personified Mind addresses Alarka, warning that the arrows he intends to use cannot harm the Mind; instead, they will strike Alarka’s own vital points and cause his death, urging him to consider different means if he seeks victory.