Shloka 10
धर्मलक्षण-प्रश्नः (Marks and Sources of Dharma) | Chapter 251: Inquiry into the Definition of Dharma
पज्चानां भूतसंघानां संततिं मुनयो विदु: । मनो नवममेषां तु बुद्धिस्तु दशमी स्मृता
pañcānāṃ bhūtasaṅghānāṃ santatiṃ munayo viduḥ | mano navamam eṣāṃ tu buddhis tu daśamī smṛtā ||
毗耶娑说：诸牟尼了知，由五大（地、水、火、风、空）之聚合，又生起一系列相续的原理。其中，意（manas）被视为第九，觉知之智（buddhi）被忆念为第十。此教法将推动知觉与行为的内在器官分别计为真实存在，昭示无明与冲动若不受明辨之智引导，便能塑造人的行止。
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents a tattva-counting: beyond the five great elements, sages recognize further principles, specifically identifying mind as the ninth and intellect as the tenth. Ethically, it implies that right action depends on buddhi governing manas, preventing ignorance-driven conduct.
In Śānti Parva’s instructional setting, Vyāsa delivers a doctrinal explanation to clarify how reality and the inner faculties are classified. The focus is not on external events but on teaching a framework for understanding the mind–intellect complex that underlies moral choice.