Shloka 11
अव्यक्त–व्यक्त–कारणकार्यविवेकः
Avyakta–Vyakta and Causality: Discrimination of Field and Knower
अव्यक्तात् प्रसृतं ज्ञानं ततो बुद्धिस्ततो मन: । मनः श्रोत्रादिभिययुक्त शब्दादीन् साधु पश्यति
avyaktāt prasṛtaṃ jñānaṃ tato buddhis tato manaḥ | manaḥ śrotrādibhir yuktaṃ śabdādīn sādhu paśyati ||
Bhīṣma sprach: Aus dem Unmanifesten (Avyakta) geht das Wissen hervor; aus dem Wissen entsteht der Intellekt (buddhi), und aus dem Intellekt der Geist. Eben dieser Geist, verbunden mit dem Ohr und den übrigen Sinnen, erfasst Klang und die anderen Sinnesobjekte in rechter Weise.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma outlines a causal sequence of cognition: the Unmanifest is the subtle source from which knowledge emerges; knowledge gives rise to intellect (discrimination), and intellect gives rise to mind (coordination and intention). The mind, when linked to the senses, apprehends sense-objects. The ethical implication is that mastery of conduct begins with understanding and regulating this inner chain—especially the mind’s engagement with the senses.
In Shanti Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhishthira on dharma and higher wisdom. Here he shifts to a philosophical explanation of how perception and inner faculties arise and function, using it as groundwork for self-control and right living.