Shloka 3
Adhyāya 272: Vṛtrasya Dharmiṣṭhatā, Indrasya Mohaḥ, Vasiṣṭha-upadeśaḥ
Vṛtra’s dharmic stature; Indra’s disorientation; Vasiṣṭha’s counsel
विज्ञानार्थ हि पञ्चानामिच्छा पूर्व प्रवर्तते । प्राप्पयैक॑ जायते कामो द्वेषो वा भरतर्षभ
vijñānārtha hi pañcānām icchā pūrvaṁ pravartate | prāpyaikaṁ jāyate kāmo dveṣo vā bharatarṣabha ||
毗湿摩说道：“为识知五种境——声、触、色、味、香——欲先起而发动其程。继而得其中一境，便对之生贪著（爱染）——或生憎恶，婆罗多族之雄牛啊。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Sense-experience begins with icchā (desire/intention). When an object is obtained, the mind tends to polarize into either kāma (grasping attachment) or dveṣa (repulsion). Ethical discipline therefore requires guarding the initial movement of desire and regulating contact with sense-objects.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction to Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīṣma explains a causal sequence of mental afflictions: desire arises first in relation to the five sense-objects, and after contact/attainment, it crystallizes into attachment or aversion—setting the stage for further bondage and moral error.