Shloka 50
मनु-उपदेशः — भूत-उत्पत्ति, इन्द्रिय-निवृत्ति, तथा पर-स्वभाव-विवेकः
Manu’s Instruction on Elemental Origination, Sense-Withdrawal, and Discrimination of the Supreme Nature
प्रध्वस्ता न निवर्तन्ते निवृत्तिनोपलभ्यते । प्रत्यक्षेण परोक्षं तदनुमानेन सिध्यति
pradhvastā na nivartante nivṛttir nopalabhyate | pratyakṣeṇa parokṣaṁ tad anumānena sidhyati ||
Bhīṣma explique que, même si les qualités (guṇa) semblent détruites après la réalisation du Soi, elles ne cessent pas entièrement, car leur cessation totale n’est pas perçue directement. Ce qui échappe à la perception se fonde par inférence. Ainsi, certains sages concluent en ce sens, tandis que d’autres tiennent que les guṇa s’éteignent absolument. Après avoir pesé les deux thèses, il faut trancher selon une compréhension sûre.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma distinguishes between what can be known by direct perception (pratyakṣa) and what must be known by inference (anumāna). Since the absolute cessation of the guṇas is not directly perceived, one must reason carefully about whether they truly end completely or only appear to subside.
In the Shanti Parva’s instructional dialogue, Bhishma is teaching philosophical discernment. He presents competing views about the fate of the guṇas and emphasizes reflective judgment—evaluating both sides and concluding according to one’s best understanding.