Shloka 10
पज्चानां भूतसंघानां संततिं मुनयो विदु: । मनो नवममेषां तु बुद्धिस्तु दशमी स्मृता,मुनिलोग भावना, अज्ञान और कर्म--इन तीनोंको पाँच महाभूतोंके समुदायकी संतति मानते हैं। इन्हीं तीनोंको अविद्या, काम और कर्म भी कहते हैं। ये सब मिलकर आठ हुए। इनके साथ मनको नवाँ और बुद्धिको दसवाँ तत्त्व माना गया है
pañcānāṃ bhūtasaṅghānāṃ santatiṃ munayo viduḥ | mano navamam eṣāṃ tu buddhis tu daśamī smṛtā ||
Vyāsa said: The sages understand that from the aggregate of the five great elements there arises a further succession of principles. Among these, mind (manas) is regarded as the ninth, and intellect (buddhi) is remembered as the tenth. In this teaching, the inner instruments that drive perception and action are counted as distinct realities, showing how ignorance and impulse can shape conduct unless guided by discerning intellect.
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents a tattva-counting: beyond the five great elements, sages recognize further principles, specifically identifying mind as the ninth and intellect as the tenth. Ethically, it implies that right action depends on buddhi governing manas, preventing ignorance-driven conduct.
In Śānti Parva’s instructional setting, Vyāsa delivers a doctrinal explanation to clarify how reality and the inner faculties are classified. The focus is not on external events but on teaching a framework for understanding the mind–intellect complex that underlies moral choice.