Shloka 18
Śuka’s Manifestation from the Araṇi (Āraṇeya-janma) — शुकजन्म (आरणेय-सम्भव)
मनसि व्याकुले चक्षु: पश्यन्नपि न पश्यति | तथेन्द्रियाणि सर्वाणि पश्यन्तीत्यभिचक्षते
manasi vyākule cakṣuḥ paśyann api na paśyati | tathendriyāṇi sarvāṇi paśyantīty abhicaṣate ||
Dijo Yājñavalkya: «Cuando la mente está turbada, el ojo, aunque mire, no ve de verdad. Del mismo modo, la gente afirma por error que todos los sentidos perciben directamente sus objetos; pero sin una mente serena, la “percepción” sensorial no es más que apariencia».
याज़्ञवल्क्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
True perception depends on the mind’s steadiness. Even if the sense-organs are functioning, an agitated mind prevents clear apprehension; therefore, claiming that the senses alone ‘perceive’ is a mistake without mental clarity.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction on peace and inner discipline, the sage Yājñavalkya explains to his listener(s) that sensory knowledge is not independent: the mind governs whether seeing, hearing, and other perceptions become genuine understanding.