Shloka 24
अलर्कोपाख्यानम् — Indriya-Nigraha and Yogic Victory
Mahābhārata 14.30
अलर्क उवाच इयं निष्ठा बहुविधा प्रज्ञया त्वध्यवस्यति । तस्माद् बुद्धि प्रति शरान् प्रतिमोक्ष्याम्पहं शितान्
alarka uvāca | iyaṁ niṣṭhā bahuvidhā prajñayā tv adhyavasyati | tasmād buddhiṁ prati śarān pratimokṣyāmy ahaṁ śitān ||
Alarka nói: “Trí tuệ này, nhờ sự phân biệt, có thể đi đến nhiều kiểu quyết định cố định. Vì thế, ta sẽ nhắm những mũi tên sắc bén của mình vào chính Buddhi—vào trí tuệ ấy.”
अलर्क उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that buddhi (intellect) can form many kinds of firm conclusions; therefore, ethical effort should focus on disciplining and correcting the decision-making faculty itself, not merely reacting to external outcomes.
Alarka speaks in martial imagery, declaring that since the intellect determines diverse resolves, he will ‘shoot’ sharp arrows at buddhi—symbolizing a deliberate attack on the root of confusion or misdirected determination.