Shloka 15

Doṣa-Parīkṣā and Guṇa-Viveka

Examination of Faults and Discernment of the Guṇas

Devanagari script

यथा महान्ति भूतानि निवर्तन्ते गुणक्षये । तथेन्द्रियाण्युपादाय बुद्धिर्मनसि वर्तते

Transliteration

yathā mahānti bhūtāni nivartante guṇakṣaye | tathendriyāṇyupādāya buddhir manasi vartate ||

Translation

ଭୀଷ୍ମ କହିଲେ—ଗୁଣକ୍ଷୟ ହେଲେ ଯେପରି ମହାଭୂତମାନେ ପ୍ରତ୍ୟାହୃତ ହୁଅନ୍ତି, ସେପରି ବୁଦ୍ଧି ସମସ୍ତ ଇନ୍ଦ୍ରିୟକୁ ସଂଗ୍ରହ କରି ମନରେ (ହୃଦୟରେ) ସ୍ଥିତ ହୁଏ।

Word by Word

• यथा: just as
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा

• महान्ति: great (five) / great
• महान्ति: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत्
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Plural

• भूतानि: elements; beings (here: elements)
• भूतानि: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Plural

• निवर्तन्ते: withdraw; cease; return
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि-वृत्
• Form: Lat, Atmanepada, Third, Plural, Present

• गुणक्षये: at the decay/cessation of the guṇas
• गुणक्षये: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुणक्षय
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• तथा: so; likewise
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा

• इन्द्रियाणि: the senses
• इन्द्रियाणि: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्द्रिय
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Plural

• उपादाय: having taken; taking up
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-आ-दा
• Form: Absolutive (Gerund), Parasmaipada/Atmanepada-neutral

• बुद्धिः: intellect
• बुद्धिः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुद्धि
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• मनसि: in the mind
• मनसि: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनस्
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• वर्तते: abides; remains; functions
• Type: Verb
• Root: वृत्
• Form: Lat, Atmanepada, Third, Singular, Present

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma
• mahābhūtas (great elements)
• guṇas
• indriyas (senses)
• buddhi (intellect)
• manas (mind)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

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.

What is happening in the narrative?

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.