Shloka 15
Doṣa-Parīkṣā and Guṇa-Viveka
Examination of Faults and Discernment of the Guṇas
यथा महान्ति भूतानि निवर्तन्ते गुणक्षये । तथेन्द्रियाण्युपादाय बुद्धिर्मनसि वर्तते
yathā mahānti bhūtāni nivartante guṇakṣaye | tathendriyāṇyupādāya buddhir manasi vartate ||
ভীষ্ম ক’লে—যেনেকৈ গুণক্ষয় হ’লে মহাভূতসমূহ প্ৰত্যাহৃত হয়, তেনেকৈ বুদ্ধি সকলো ইন্দ্ৰিয়ক সমাহাৰ কৰি মনত (হৃদয়ত) স্থিত হয়।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches inward withdrawal: as the cosmic elements subside when their supporting qualities diminish, the intellect likewise gathers the senses and settles into the mind. Ethically, it points to mastery over sense-driven dispersion and the cultivation of inner steadiness as a step toward liberation.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and mokṣa, Bhīṣma is explaining a contemplative psychology: the movement from outward sensory engagement to inward recollection, describing how buddhi and the senses become absorbed into manas during spiritual withdrawal.