Shloka 16
Doṣa-Parīkṣā and Guṇa-Viveka
Examination of Faults and Discernment of the Guṇas
यदा मनसि सा बुद्धिर्वर्तते5न्तरचारिणी । व्यवसायगुणोपेता तदा सम्पद्यते मन:,जब निश्चयात्मिका बुद्धि अन्तर्मुखी होकर हृदयमें स्थित होती है, तब मन विशुद्ध हो जाता है
yadā manasi sā buddhir vartate ’ntaracāriṇī | vyavasāya-guṇopetā tadā sampadyate manaḥ ||
Bhīṣma disse: Quando esse intelecto, que se move para dentro e se volta ao interior, surge e permanece na mente—dotado da qualidade de firme resolução—então a mente se torna devidamente composta e purificada.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that when buddhi (discriminative intellect) becomes inward-turned and firmly decisive (vyavasāya), it stabilizes and purifies the mind. Ethical living depends on this inner clarity: resolve guided by discernment restrains wavering and supports right conduct.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction section, Bhishma is advising on inner discipline and the governance of the mind. He explains a psychological-ethical principle: the mind becomes refined when the intellect operates inwardly with steady determination.