Shloka 13
Tapas as the Root of Attainment (तपः—साधनमूलप्रशंसा)
कि नु ते पवनस्तात प्रीतिमानथवा सुह्ृत् । त्वां रक्षति सदा येन वने5त्र पवनो ध्रुवम्
ki nu te pavanastāta prītimān athavā suhṛt | tvāṃ rakṣati sadā yena vane 'tra pavano dhruvam ||
Bhīṣma said: “Dear child, what is this Wind to you—does it bear you affection, or is it your friend? For it is surely the Wind that constantly protects you here in this forest.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the idea of unseen guardianship: protection may come through a benevolent force (here, Vāyu) that acts like a friend or well-wisher, suggesting that support can arise beyond ordinary human agency.
Bhīṣma addresses a young person with curiosity, observing that the Wind seems to be consistently safeguarding them in the forest, and asks whether the Wind is affectionate toward them or bound by friendship.