Shloka 7
जनक–सुलभा संवादः
Janaka–Sulabhā Dialogue on Mokṣa and Non-attachment
षड्विंशं विमल॑ बुद्धमप्रमेयं सनातनम् । सतुतंपज्चविंशं च चतुर्विशं च बुध्यते
ṣaḍviṁśaṁ vimalaṁ buddham aprameyaṁ sanātanam | saptaviṁśaṁ pañcaviṁśaṁ ca caturviṁśaṁ ca budhyate ||
婆悉吒说道：第二十六谛，是无垢、常净、觉悟、不可量、永恒的至上我（Paramātman）。它圆满了知第二十五谛（个体我）与第二十四谛（未显的原质 Prakṛti）。然而个体我虽因能了知原质而被称为“知者”，却并不能真实体悟那永恒的至上实相。
वसिष्ठ उवाच
Educational Q&A
A hierarchy of knowing is asserted: the Supreme Self (26th principle) fully knows both Prakṛti (24th) and the individual self (25th), but the individual self—though capable of cognizing Prakṛti—does not, by that fact alone, comprehend the Supreme. True liberation requires turning knowledge toward the eternal, immeasurable Paramātman rather than remaining confined to nature and its processes.
In the Śānti Parva’s instructional setting, Vasiṣṭha is explaining metaphysical principles (tattvas) to clarify the distinction between Prakṛti, the individual self, and the Supreme Self, emphasizing why the jīva’s ordinary cognition is insufficient for realizing the eternal Paramātman.