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 ||
जब मन व्याकुल होता है, तब आँख देखते हुए भी वास्तव में नहीं देख पाती। इसी प्रकार लोग भ्रमवश कहते हैं कि सब इन्द्रियाँ अपने-अपने विषयों को प्रत्यक्ष करती हैं—पर मन स्थिर न हो तो वह ‘प्रत्यक्ष’ केवल आभास मात्र है।
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.