Shloka 17
मनु-उपदेशः — भूत-उत्पत्ति, इन्द्रिय-निवृत्ति, तथा पर-स्वभाव-विवेकः
Manu’s Instruction on Elemental Origination, Sense-Withdrawal, and Discrimination of the Supreme Nature
गुणैनेनीयते बुद्धिर्बुद्धेरेवेन्द्रियाण्पपि । मन:षष्ठानि सर्वाणि तदभावे कुतो गुणा:
guṇair nīyate buddhir buddher evendriyāṇy api | manaḥ-ṣaṣṭhāni sarvāṇi tad-abhāve kuto guṇāḥ ||
गुणैर्नीयते बुद्धिर्बुद्धेरेवेन्द्रियाण्यपि । मनःषष्ठानि सर्वाणि तदभावे कुतो गुणाः ॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma explains a causal hierarchy of inner life: guṇas condition the intellect (buddhi), the senses follow the intellect, and the mind coordinates them as the sixth. Ethical conduct depends on this inner governance; without the guiding principle, stable virtues or dispositions cannot manifest.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and inner discipline, Bhishma continues advising Yudhishthira by analyzing how the mind, senses, and intellect function together, emphasizing that moral life is rooted in the regulation and orientation of these inner faculties.