Shloka 5
Satya-lakṣaṇa (The Characteristics and Forms of Truth) | सत्यलक्षणम्
शाल्मले! कुछ ऐसे कारण अवश्य हैं, जिनसे प्रेरित होकर वायुदेव निश्चितरूपसे सपरिवार तुम्हारी रक्षा करते हैं। निस्संदेह इसीसे यों ही खड़े रहते हो ।। शाल्मलिरुवाच न मे वायु: सखा ब्रह्मन् न बन्धुर्न च मे सुहृत् । परमेष्ठी तथा नैव येन रक्षति वानिल:,सेमलने कहा--ब्रह्मन! वायु न तो मेरा मित्र है, न बन्धु है, न सुहृद् ही है। वह ब्रह्मा भी नहीं है, जो मेरी रक्षा करेगा
nārada uvāca | śālmale! kecid eva kāraṇā avaśyaṃ santi, yaiḥ preritō vāyudevaḥ saparivāraṃ niścitarūpeṇa tava rakṣāṃ karoti | niḥsaṃdeham etasmād eva tvaṃ yathā tathā sthitaḥ || śālmaliḥ uvāca | na me vāyuḥ sakhā brahman na bandhur na ca me suhṛt | parameṣṭhī tathā naiva yena rakṣati vānilaḥ ||
Nārada said: “O Śālmali! There must surely be some causes that impel the Wind-god, with his attendants, to protect you. Undoubtedly, it is because of this that you stand here unharmed.” Śālmali replied: “O Brahmin, Vāyu is neither my friend, nor my kinsman, nor my well-wisher. Nor is he the Creator (Parameṣṭhin) whose duty it would be to protect me.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Protection or favor is not assumed to arise from personal friendship alone; Narada points to hidden causes (kāraṇas) behind divine action, prompting reflection on merit, destiny, and the unseen workings of dharma.
Narada observes that the Śālmali tree is being guarded by Vāyu and suggests there must be a reason. Śālmali responds by denying any personal relationship with Vāyu or special claim upon the Creator, setting up an inquiry into why such protection occurs.