Shloka 23
जनक–ब्राह्मणसंवादः
Viṣaya, Mamatva, and Self-Mastery
नाहमात्मार्थमिच्छामि मनो नित्यं मनो<न्तरे | मनो मे निर्जितं तस्माद् वशे तिष्ठति नित्यदा
janaka uvāca | nāham ātmārtham icchāmi mano nityaṁ mano'ntare | mano me nirjitaṁ tasmād vaśe tiṣṭhati nityadā ||
ஜனகர் கூறினார்—மனத்தின் உள்ளே எப்போதும் எழும் எண்ணங்களின் பொருள்களையும் நான் என் இன்பத்திற்காக அனுபவிக்க விரும்பேன். ஆகையால் நான் வென்ற மனம் எப்போதும் என் கட்டுப்பாட்டிலேயே உள்ளது.
जनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
True mastery is not merely avoiding external pleasures but relinquishing even inner, mental enjoyments sought for personal gratification; by such detachment the mind becomes subdued and remains under one’s governance.
King Janaka is speaking as a teacher-figure, describing his inner discipline: he refuses to indulge even subtle mental objects for his own happiness, and thus declares that his mind has been conquered and stays continually under control.