Shloka 10
Bhūta-guṇa-saṃkhyāna
Enumeration of the Properties of the Elements and Cognitive Faculties
सर्वाण्येवानुपूर्व्येण यद् यदानुविधीयते । अविभागगता बुद्धिर्भावे मनसि वर्तते
sarvāṇy evānupūrveṇa yad yad anuvidhīyate | avibhāgagatā buddhir bhāve manasi vartate ||
毗耶娑说：凡被发动者，皆依次第而行。心智（buddhi）本自不分，然于意（manas）与诸境之域中起用；当心智与某一根门相应时，该根——凭借意之决断（saṅkalpa）而得扶持——便循序渐进地摄取诸物（如瓶、布等）。是故，认知与感知唯在诸根为心智所引导、所加持之时方能发生。
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
Perception and cognition occur in an ordered sequence and depend on the coordinating power of buddhi. Although buddhi is essentially one and undivided, it functions through mind and senses; only when a sense faculty is ‘supported’ by buddhi (and mediated by the mind’s saṅkalpa) does it grasp an object.
In Śānti Parva’s philosophical instruction, Vyāsa explains the inner mechanics of experience: the intellect, mind, and senses cooperate so that objects are apprehended progressively. The verse is part of a broader teaching on self-mastery and right understanding as foundations for dharma.