Shloka 22
Bhūta-guṇa-saṃkhyāna
Enumeration of the Properties of the Elements and Cognitive Faculties
सृजते<त्र गुणानेक एको न सृजते गुणान् । पृथग्भूतौ प्रकृत्या तौ सम्प्रयुक्तो च सर्वदा
sṛjate ’tra guṇān eka eko na sṛjate guṇān | pṛthagbhūtau prakṛtyā tau samprayukto ca sarvadā ||
毗耶娑说：在此二者之中，其一——即智（buddhi）——生起种种诸德性（guṇa）；其二——即自我（ātman/puruṣa）——全然不生诸德性。就其自性而言，二者彼此有别；然而又恒常相合。此教诲说明：道德生活起于内器中诸德性的运作，而见证之我不为所染，由此得以辨别与离著，作为达摩之基。
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse distinguishes the guṇa-producing principle (buddhi as part of prakṛti) from the non-producing conscious Self (ātman/puruṣa). Though essentially different, they are experienced as conjoined; ethical clarity arises by recognizing that actions and mental states belong to guṇas, while the Self remains the witness.
In Śānti Parva’s philosophical instruction, Vyāsa explains a Sāṅkhya-style analysis of the person: the inner instrument generates and displays guṇic modifications, whereas the Self does not generate them. The passage supports counsel toward peace and dharma through discernment between the changing psyche and the unchanging witness.