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 ||
ビーシュマは言った。「あらゆる欲望とあらゆる行いを明確に区切り、抑えよ。そこにある根は、心の分別の力と、感官という一群であると知るべきだ。知性と感官を己の支配下に置くなら――籠に収めた鳥のように――恐れるべき理由はない。」
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.