Shloka 11
अलर्कोपाख्यानम् — Indriya-Nigraha and Yogic Victory
Mahābhārata 14.30
तच्छुत्वा स विचिन्त्याथ ततो वचनमब्रवीत्,नासिकाका यह कथन सुनकर अलर्क कुछ देर विचार करनेके पश्चात् (जिह्वाको लक्ष्य करके) कहने लगे
tac chrutvā sa vicintyātha tato vacanam abravīt
Nghe vậy, Alarka suy nghĩ giây lát. Rồi ông cất lời—hướng câu đáp về phía lưỡi—cho thấy đó là một lời đáp có chủ ý, thấm nhuần đạo lý, chứ không phải phản ứng bốc đồng.
प्राण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical restraint: one should pause, reflect, and then speak. Thoughtful speech—guided by discernment—prevents harm and aligns conduct with dharma.
After hearing what was said, Alarka considers it briefly and then responds. The narration notes that he addresses the tongue, implying a dialogue about the senses and inner faculties and the need to govern them.