Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvitiya Skandha, Shloka 32
Daśa-lakṣaṇam: The Ten Topics, Virāṭ-Puruṣa Sense-Manifestation, and the Supreme Shelter (Āśraya)
गुणात्मकानीन्द्रियाणि भूतादिप्रभवा गुणा: । मन: सर्वविकारात्मा बुद्धिर्विज्ञानरूपिणी ॥ ३२ ॥
guṇātmakānīndriyāṇi bhūtādi-prabhavā guṇāḥ manaḥ sarva-vikārātmā buddhir vijñāna-rūpiṇī
Les sens sont de nature guṇa, et les guṇa proviennent du bhūtādi (le faux ego). Le mental est le siège de toutes les modifications, et l’intelligence est la forme du discernement conscient (vijñāna).
Illusioned by the material nature, the living entity identifies with false ego. More clearly, when the living entity is entrapped by the material body, he at once identifies with the bodily relationships, forgetting his own identity as spirit soul. This false ego associates with different modes of material nature, and thus the senses become attached to the modes of material nature. Mind is the instrument for feeling different material experiences, but intelligence is deliberative and can change everything for the better. The intelligent person, therefore, can attain salvation from the illusion of material existence by proper use of intelligence. An intelligent person can detect the awkward position of material existence and thus begin to inquire as to what he is, why he is subjected to different kinds of miseries, and how to get rid of all miseries, and thus, by good association, an advanced intelligent person can turn towards the better life of self-realization. It is advised, therefore, that an intelligent person associate with the great sages and saints who are on the path of salvation. By such association, one can receive instructions which are able to slacken the conditioned soul’s attachment for matter, and thus the intelligent man gradually gets rid of the illusion of matter and false ego and is promoted to the real life of eternity, knowledge and bliss.
FAQs
This verse explains that the senses are shaped by the material modes (guṇas), the mind is the basis of all mental modifications, and intelligence functions as discerning knowledge (vijñāna) that can differentiate and understand.
In this chapter, Śukadeva outlines core topics and the structure of creation and analysis of matter; describing senses, mind, and intelligence helps clarify how the living being interacts with material nature through guṇas and inner instruments.
Recognize that sensory impulses are guṇa-driven and that the mind constantly changes; cultivate buddhi (clear discrimination) through sādhana—especially hearing and remembering Bhagavān—so choices are guided by higher understanding rather than impulse.