Shloka 23
सप्तहोतृ-विधानम् एवं इन्द्रिय–मनःसंवादः
The Seven Hotṛs and the Debate of Senses and Mind
बलवन्तो हानियमा नियमा दुर्बलीयसाम् । भोगानपूर्वानादत्स्व नोच्छिष्टं भोक्तुमहति
balavanto hāniyamā niyamā durbalīyasām | bhogān apūrvān ādatsva no cchiṣṭaṃ bhoktum arhati ||
心は言った。「強き者は窮屈な規則に縛られるためにあるのではない。かかる抑制は弱き者のためのものだ。新たな仕方で、前例なき快楽を取り入れよ。他人の残り物に頼って生きるのは、汝にふさわしくない。」
मन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents the mind’s seductive argument that power excuses one from moral restraints and that one should pursue novel pleasures; ethically, it exemplifies a common inner rationalization that dharma and self-discipline are unnecessary for the ‘strong,’ a view the broader tradition typically critiques.
In a dialogue framed as an inner debate, the speaker ‘Mind’ urges the listener to abandon niyamas (restraints) and seek fresh enjoyments, claiming it is unworthy to accept what is ‘left over’—a push toward indulgence and self-assertion.