मनु-उपदेशः — भूत-उत्पत्ति, इन्द्रिय-निवृत्ति, तथा पर-स्वभाव-विवेकः
Manu’s Instruction on Elemental Origination, Sense-Withdrawal, and Discrimination of the Supreme Nature
प्रध्वस्ता न निवर्तन्ते निवृत्तिनोपलभ्यते । प्रत्यक्षेण परोक्षं तदनुमानेन सिध्यति
pradhvastā na nivartante nivṛttir nopalabhyate | pratyakṣeṇa parokṣaṁ tad anumānena sidhyati ||
Ipinaliwanag ni Bhīṣma: Kahit wari’y naglalaho ang mga guṇa matapos ang tuwirang pagkakilala sa Sarili, hindi sila ganap na nawawala, sapagkat ang lubos na pagkapawi nito’y hindi nakikita nang hayagan. Ang bagay na di tuwirang nasasaksihan ay pinatutunayan sa pamamagitan ng anumana—pangangatwirang hango sa palatandaan. Kaya may mga pantas na ganito ang pasya, at may iba namang nagsasabing lubos na humihinto ang mga guṇa. Timbangin ang dalawang pananaw at magpasya ayon sa matibay na pag-unawa.
भीष्म उवाच
Bhishma distinguishes between what can be known by direct perception (pratyakṣa) and what must be known by inference (anumāna). Since the absolute cessation of the guṇas is not directly perceived, one must reason carefully about whether they truly end completely or only appear to subside.
In the Shanti Parva’s instructional dialogue, Bhishma is teaching philosophical discernment. He presents competing views about the fate of the guṇas and emphasizes reflective judgment—evaluating both sides and concluding according to one’s best understanding.