Shloka 10
बलीन्द्रसंवादः — Kāla, Anityatā, and the Limits of Agency
Mahābhārata 12.217
प्रकृतेश्न विकाराणां द्रष्टारमगुणान्वितम् । अग्राह्मौ पुरुषावेतावलिड्रत्वादसंहतौ,वह स्वयं गुणोंसे रहित तथा प्रकृतिके विकारों (कार्यों) का द्रष्टा है। ये दोनों प्रकृति और पुरुष सम्पूर्णत: इन्द्रियोंके विषय नहीं हैं। दोनों ही आकाररहित तथा एक-दूसरेसे विलक्षण हैं
prakṛteś ca vikārāṇāṁ draṣṭāram aguṇānvitam | agrāhyaṁ puruṣāv etāv aliṅgatvād asaṁhatau ||
Bhishma explains that the Self (puruṣa) is the witness of the transformations of nature (prakṛti) while itself remaining beyond the guṇas. Both prakṛti and puruṣa are not objects of sensory grasp; they are formless, subtle, and mutually distinct. The ethical implication is that one should cultivate discernment between the changing field of nature and the unchanging witness, thereby loosening attachment and moving toward inner freedom.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Discriminate between prakṛti (the changing field of guṇas and modifications) and puruṣa (the formless, partless witness). Realizing the witness as beyond guṇas supports detachment and liberation-oriented conduct.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on peace and liberation, Bhīṣma teaches Yudhiṣṭhira a Sāṅkhya-style analysis: nature undergoes transformations, while the conscious principle remains the non-sensory witness, distinct from nature.