Shloka 18
Jīva-yonis (84 Lakhs), Rarity of Human Birth, Sense-Restraint, Craving, and Śraddhā-based Dharma
कुरङ्गमताङ्गपतङ्गभृङ्गमीना हताः पञ्चभिरेव पञ्च / एकः प्रमादी स कथं न हन्यते यः सेवते पञ्चभिरेव पञ्च
kuraṅgamatāṅgapataṅgabhṛṅgamīnā hatāḥ pañcabhireva pañca / ekaḥ pramādī sa kathaṃ na hanyate yaḥ sevate pañcabhireva pañca
മാൻ, ആന, പാറ്റ, തേൻചീറ്റ, മീൻ—ഈ അഞ്ചുപേരും അഞ്ചു വിഷയങ്ങളിൽ ഓരോന്നിലേക്കുള്ള ആസക്തിയാൽ തന്നെ നശിക്കുന്നു. എന്നാൽ അഞ്ചു വിഷയങ്ങളെയും ഒരുമിച്ച് സേവിക്കുന്ന പ്രമാദി എങ്ങനെ നശിക്കാതിരിക്കും?
Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda/Vainateya)
Concept: Indriya-nigraha: even one sense-object can destroy; indulgence in all five accelerates downfall.
Vedantic Theme: Vairagya and viveka as prerequisites for Self-knowledge; bondage arises from vishaya-asakti.
Application: Practice moderation, guard the senses (especially the dominant weakness), cultivate mindfulness and disciplined habits (diet, media, sexuality, speech).
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana (didactic sections on vairagya/indriya-nigraha in Preta-khanda style teachings)
FAQs
This verse warns that even one overpowering sense-object can destroy a creature; therefore mastering the senses is essential to avoid sinful karma and consequent suffering.
By linking indulgence to ruin, it frames sense-driven living as a cause of karmic bondage that later manifests as fear, punishment, and hardship on the post-death journey described in the Preta Kanda.
Practice moderation—limit addictive pleasures, cultivate mindfulness, and strengthen self-restraint—so actions are guided by dharma rather than impulsive sense-craving.