Shloka 11
अव्यक्त–व्यक्त–कारणकार्यविवेकः
Avyakta–Vyakta and Causality: Discrimination of Field and Knower
अव्यक्तात् प्रसृतं ज्ञानं ततो बुद्धिस्ततो मन: । मनः श्रोत्रादिभिययुक्त शब्दादीन् साधु पश्यति
avyaktāt prasṛtaṃ jñānaṃ tato buddhis tato manaḥ | manaḥ śrotrādibhir yuktaṃ śabdādīn sādhu paśyati ||
Bhīṣma berkata: Dari Yang Tidak Terserlah (Avyakta), pengetahuan memancar; daripada pengetahuan lahir akal budi (buddhi), dan daripada akal budi lahir minda. Minda itulah, apabila bergabung dengan telinga dan pancaindera yang lain, menangkap bunyi dan segala objek indera dengan tepat.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma outlines a causal sequence of cognition: the Unmanifest is the subtle source from which knowledge emerges; knowledge gives rise to intellect (discrimination), and intellect gives rise to mind (coordination and intention). The mind, when linked to the senses, apprehends sense-objects. The ethical implication is that mastery of conduct begins with understanding and regulating this inner chain—especially the mind’s engagement with the senses.
In Shanti Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhishthira on dharma and higher wisdom. Here he shifts to a philosophical explanation of how perception and inner faculties arise and function, using it as groundwork for self-control and right living.