Shloka 146
The Thirteen Inner Adversaries (Trayodaśa Doṣāḥ): Origins and Pacification
पश्यमानस्तदा55त्मानमसमं मातरिश्वना । उस समय सेमलने वायुके द्वारा जो कुछ किया जानेवाला था, उसपर मन-ही-मन विचार करके तथा अपने आपको वायुके समान बलवान् न देखकर सोचा--
paśyamānas tadātmānam asamaṃ mātariśvanā |
Bhishma dijo: «Entonces, reflexionando en su fuero interno sobre lo que el Viento (Mātariśvan) estaba por llevar a cabo, y viéndose a sí mismo no igual en fuerza a aquel poder imponente, pensó para sus adentros…».
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights prudent self-knowledge: before acting, one should realistically assess one’s own capacity and the power of opposing forces, and let that assessment guide ethical decision-making rather than pride.
In Bhishma’s narration, a figure anticipates an action to be carried out by the Wind (Mātariśvan/Vāyu). Observing that he is not equal to the Wind in strength, he deliberates internally and prepares to respond accordingly.