Shloka 9
Doṣa-Parīkṣā and Guṇa-Viveka
Examination of Faults and Discernment of the Guṇas
ज्ञानं ज्ञेयाभिनिर्वत्तं विद्धि ज्ञानगुणं मनः । प्रज्ञाकरणसंयुक्तं ततो बुद्धि: प्रवर्तते
jñānaṃ jñeyābhinirvṛttaṃ viddhi jñānaguṇaṃ manaḥ | prajñākaraṇasaṃyuktaṃ tato buddhiḥ pravartate, bṛhaspate ||
Disse Bhishma: Sabe que o conhecimento surge em relação ao cognoscível —o Si Supremo como objeto último do conhecer— e que a mente (manas) é produto e instrumento do conhecimento. Quando essa mente se une à faculdade de discernimento e aos sentidos, então o intelecto (buddhi) volta-se para fora, entra na ação e se ocupa das obras —ó Brihaspati.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma distinguishes inner faculties: knowledge is oriented to the knowable (ultimately the Supreme Self), the mind is treated as a function/attribute arising in the cognitive process, and when the mind is coupled with discernment and the sense-faculties, the intellect becomes the driver of outward engagement in action (karma).
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and liberation-oriented philosophy, Bhishma continues his didactic discourse, addressing Brihaspati, explaining how cognition arises and how the linkage of mind with faculties leads the intellect to initiate and pursue actions.