Shloka 15
Doṣa-Parīkṣā and Guṇa-Viveka
Examination of Faults and Discernment of the Guṇas
यथा महान्ति भूतानि निवर्तन्ते गुणक्षये । तथेन्द्रियाण्युपादाय बुद्धिर्मनसि वर्तते
yathā mahānti bhūtāni nivartante guṇakṣaye | tathendriyāṇyupādāya buddhir manasi vartate ||
ភីष្មៈបានមានព្រះបន្ទូលថា៖ ដូចជាមហាភូតទាំងធំៗថយត្រឡប់ទៅវិញ នៅពេលគុណដែលគាំទ្រពួកវាត្រូវបានបំផ្លាញអស់ ដូច្នោះដែរ បញ្ញា (buddhi) ប្រមូលយកឥន្ទ្រីយ៍ទាំងអស់ ហើយសម្រាកនៅក្នុងចិត្ត។
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches inward withdrawal: as the cosmic elements subside when their supporting qualities diminish, the intellect likewise gathers the senses and settles into the mind. Ethically, it points to mastery over sense-driven dispersion and the cultivation of inner steadiness as a step toward liberation.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and mokṣa, Bhīṣma is explaining a contemplative psychology: the movement from outward sensory engagement to inward recollection, describing how buddhi and the senses become absorbed into manas during spiritual withdrawal.