अलर्कोपाख्यानम् — Indriya-Nigraha and Yogic Victory
Mahābhārata 14.30
सुसमाहितचेतास्तु स ततो$चिन्तयत् प्रभु: । स विचिन्त्य चिरं कालमलर्को द्विजसत्तम
susamāhitacetāstu sa tato 'cintayat prabhuḥ | sa vicintya ciraṃ kālam alarko dvijasattamaḥ ||
चित्त पूर्णपणे एकाग्र करून तो समर्थ पुरुष मग विचार करू लागला. दीर्घ काळ चिंतन करून, द्विजश्रेष्ठ अलर्क एका ठाम निश्चयास आला.
ब्राह्मण उवाच
The verse highlights the ethical necessity of inner composure (samādhāna of mind) and sustained deliberation before arriving at a decision—suggesting that right action (dharma) is grounded in calm reflection rather than impulse.
The brāhmaṇa narrator describes Alarka as settling his mind and thinking deeply for a long time; the scene marks a transition where careful contemplation precedes the next decisive step in the story.