Shloka 5
Varāha-avatāra: Viṣṇu’s subterranean intervention and the cosmic nāda (Śānti-parva 202)
निवर्तयित्वा रसनां रसे भ्यो घ्राणं च गन्धाच्छूवणौ च शब्दात् । स्पर्शात् त्वचं रूपगुणात् तु चक्षु- सतत: परं पश्यति स्वं स्वभावम्
nivartayitvā rasanāṃ rasebhyo ghrāṇaṃ ca gandhāc chravaṇau ca śabdāt | sparśāt tvacaṃ rūpaguṇāt tu cakṣuḥ satataḥ paraṃ paśyati svaṃ svabhāvam ||
毗湿摩说道：“若人使舌离诸味，使鼻离诸香，使耳离诸声，使身离诸触，使眼离色相之诸质——令诸根内摄——便能恒常观见至上者，并证得自身真实本性。其伦理旨趣在于自制：解脱不在追逐乐境，而在调御知觉，使觉知安住于我（自性）。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches pratyāhāra—withdrawal of the senses from their objects—as a practical discipline leading to steady perception of the Supreme and realization of one’s true Self. Ethical freedom comes from mastery over sensory craving rather than indulgence.
In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma and liberation-oriented practice. Here he describes an inner yogic method: turning the sense-faculties away from external stimuli so the mind can rest in the Self and apprehend the Supreme.