Manas First Perceives Dharmas

When major events or sudden emergencies occur, one reacts subconsciously and very quickly. This is because the manas perceives the dharma-object first, then transmits it to the supreme faculty (indriya), and the six consciousnesses perceive it afterward. As soon as the six consciousnesses are born, they must carry out the manas's instructions; there is no time for the mind consciousness to deliberate and decide—one must act immediately to handle the event. After the mind consciousness has finished processing it, one may still be bewildered, not knowing what exactly happened. The manas reacts so quickly precisely because it perceives the dharma-object first and knows the dharma-object first.