Shloka 21
Varāha-avatāra: Viṣṇu’s subterranean intervention and the cosmic nāda (Śānti-parva 202)
महत्सु भूतेषु वसन्ति पठच पज्चेद्धियार्थाश्व॒ तथेन्द्रियाणि । सर्वाणि चैतानि मनो5नुगानि बुद्धि मनोडन्वेति मति: स्वभावम्,पाँचों इन्द्रियोंक पाँचों विषय तथा पाँचों इन्द्रियाँ भी पठ्च सूक्ष्म महाभूतोंमें निवास करते हैं, ये शब्द आदि विषय, आकाश आदि भूत तथा श्रोत्र आदि इन्द्रियाँ सब-के-सब मनके अनुगामी हैं। मन बुद्धिका अनुसरण करता है और बुद्धि आत्माका आश्रय लेकर रहती है
mahatsu bhūteṣu vasanti pañca pañcendriyārthāś ca tathendriyāṇi | sarvāṇi caitāni mano'nugāni buddhiṁ mano'nveti matiḥ svabhāvam ||
Bhishma said: The five sense-objects and the five senses abide within the great (subtle) elements. All of these—objects, elements, and sense-faculties—move under the direction of the mind. The mind, in turn, follows the intellect (buddhi); and the intellect, by its very nature, rests upon the Self (Ātman). Thus, ethical self-mastery begins by governing the mind, for the entire field of experience is ordered through it and culminates in the Self.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Sense-objects and sense-faculties function under the mind; the mind is guided by the intellect; and the intellect ultimately depends on the Self. Therefore, ethical and spiritual discipline should focus on mastering the mind through discernment rooted in the Self.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and liberation, Bhishma explains to Yudhishthira an inner hierarchy of experience—elements, senses, mind, intellect, and the Self—clarifying how perception and action are coordinated and how one should cultivate self-control.