Shloka 38
Brahmā’s Discourse to Mohinī
Harivāsara, Desire, and the Satya-Test of Rukmāṅgada
सन्मार्गे तावदास्ते प्रभवति पुरुषस्तावदेवेंद्रियाणां लज्जां तावद्विधत्ते विनयमपि समालंबते तावदेव । भ्रूचापाक्षेपयुक्ताः श्रवणपथगता नीलपक्ष्माण एते यावल्लीलावतीनां न हृदि धृतिमुषो दृष्टिबाणाः पतंति ॥ ३८ ॥
sanmārge tāvadāste prabhavati puruṣastāvadeveṃdriyāṇāṃ lajjāṃ tāvadvidhatte vinayamapi samālaṃbate tāvadeva | bhrūcāpākṣepayuktāḥ śravaṇapathagatā nīlapakṣmāṇa ete yāvallīlāvatīnāṃ na hṛdi dhṛtimuṣo dṛṣṭibāṇāḥ pataṃti || 38 ||
บุรุษยืนมั่นในทางธรรมได้ตราบนั้น อินทรีย์ทั้งหลายก็อยู่ในอำนาจตราบนั้น ความละอายและความสำรวมก็ตั้งอยู่ตราบนั้น—จนกว่า “ศรแห่งสายตา” ของสตรีผู้ช่างเล่น ที่มีคันธนูคือคิ้ว ปลายศรผ่านทางหู และมีขนตาสีน้ำเงินเข้ม จะตกต้องกลางใจแล้วลักเอาความมั่นคงไป
Narada (instructional narration within Uttara-Bhaga context)
Vrata: none
Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"karuna","secondary_rasa":"bhayanaka","emotional_journey":"Starts with confidence in righteousness and self-mastery, then turns into a lament as ‘glance-arrows’ steal inner steadiness and topple virtue."}
FAQs
It teaches that dharma and inner steadiness depend on mastery of the senses; unchecked attraction can quickly destabilize even a disciplined person, so vigilance and restraint are essential supports for spiritual life.
Bhakti requires a stable heart (dhṛti) focused on the Lord; the verse warns that sensory fascination disperses attention and weakens resolve, so guarding the mind and senses protects devotional concentration and purity.
While not a direct Vedāṅga lesson, it reflects the practical dharmic discipline that underlies ritual efficacy—self-restraint and mental steadiness are implied prerequisites for correct conduct in vrata, pūjā, and tīrtha observances.