Shloka 193
अलर्कोपाख्यानम् — Indriya-Nigraha and Yogic Victory
Mahābhārata 14.30
अन्यान् बाणान् समीक्षस्व यैस्त्वं मां सूदयिष्यसि । श्रोत्रने कहा--अलर्क! ये बाण मुझे किसी प्रकार नहीं छेद सकते। ये तुम्हारे ही मर्मस्थानोंको विदीर्ण करेंगे। तब तुम जीवनसे हाथ धो बैठोगे। अतः तुम अन्य प्रकारके बाणोंकी खोज करो
anyān bāṇān samīkṣasva yais tvaṃ māṃ sūdayiṣyasi |
“Procura outras flechas—com as quais julgas poder realmente matar-me.” Então o Ouvido disse: “Alarka, essas flechas não podem perfurar-me de modo algum. Elas rasgarão os teus próprios pontos vitais; e então perderás a vida. Portanto, busca outras flechas, com as quais possas matar-me.”
अलर्क उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not persist in a harmful course when it is ineffective; reassess your means and understand that misdirected aggression can rebound upon the aggressor.
Alarka addresses an opponent in a martial context, dismissing the current arrows as insufficient and challenging the attacker to seek other weapons capable of defeating him.