Shloka 21
मनु-उपदेशः — भूत-उत्पत्ति, इन्द्रिय-निवृत्ति, तथा पर-स्वभाव-विवेकः
Manu’s Instruction on Elemental Origination, Sense-Withdrawal, and Discrimination of the Supreme Nature
अधिष्ठानानि बुद्धेर्हि पृथगर्थानि पञ्चधा । इन्द्रियाणीति यान्याहुस्तान्यदृश्योडधितिष्ठति
adhiṣṭhānāni buddher hi pṛthag-arthāni pañcadhā | indriyāṇīti yāny āhus tāny adṛśyo ’dhi tiṣṭhati ||
अधिष्ठानानि बुद्धेर्हि पृथगर्थानि पञ्चधा । इन्द्रियाणीति यान्याहुस्तान्यदृश्योऽधितिष्ठति ॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse distinguishes the five sense-faculties as the five object-oriented bases of buddhi, and asserts that an unseen inner self (jīva/ātman) presides over and impels them—implying that ethical mastery begins with recognizing an inner governor beyond the senses.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction-setting, Bhishma continues his discourse to Yudhishthira on inner discipline and knowledge, explaining how perception operates through the senses and how the unseen self stands as their overseer, supporting a broader teaching on restraint and liberation.