Shloka 9
The Thirteen Inner Adversaries (Trayodaśa Doṣāḥ): Origins and Pacification
यन्मां त्वमवजानीषे यथान्यं प्राकृतं तथा । दर्शयाम्येष चात्मानं यथा मां नावमन्यसे
yan māṁ tvam avajānīṣe yathānyaṁ prākṛtaṁ tathā | darśayāmy eṣa cātmānaṁ yathā māṁ nāvamanyase ||
Bhīṣma sprach: „Da du mich verächtlich behandelst, als wäre ich nur ein gewöhnlicher Mensch, werde ich — im Zorn — mein wahres Wesen offenbaren, damit du es nicht mehr wagst, mich zu schmähen.“
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Contempt born of misjudging another’s true stature leads to ethical failure; respect and discernment are essential, because hidden excellence or authority may assert itself when provoked.
Bhishma addresses someone who is slighting him as if he were an ordinary person; angered by this disrespect, he declares he will reveal his true form or capability so the offender will stop insulting him.