Shloka 27
Śrī–Indra–Bali Saṃvāda: The Departure and Fourfold Placement of Lakṣmī
प्रत्यक्ष होतयोमूलं कृतान्तौतिहयोरपि । प्रत्यक्षेणागमो भिन्न: कृतान्तो वा न किउड्चन
pratyakṣaṃ hetumūlaṃ kṛtāntautihayor api | pratyakṣeṇāgamo bhinnaḥ kṛtānto vā na kiñcana ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: Ang tuwirang pagdama (pratyakṣa) ang ugat na pinagbabatayan maging ng hinuha at ng patotoo ng kasulatan. Kung ang isang aral na minana o isang hinuha ay sumasalungat sa tuwirang karanasan, wala itong saysay—hindi matatanggap ang pag-aangkin nitong may awtoridad.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma teaches a hierarchy of knowledge-sources: direct perception is foundational, and inference or scriptural testimony must not contradict lived, direct experience; if they do, their authority is to be rejected.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and right understanding, Bhīṣma lays down an epistemic rule for ethical discernment: reasoning and tradition are valuable, but they must be anchored in and consistent with direct perception.