Shloka 6
The Thirteen Inner Adversaries (Trayodaśa Doṣāḥ): Origins and Pacification
वायुरुवाच शाल्मले नारदो गच्छंस्त्वयोक्तो मद्विगर्हणम् । अहं वायु: प्रभाव ते दर्शयाम्यात्मनो बलम्
Vāyur uvāca—Śālmale, Nārado gacchaṁs tvayokto mad-vigarhāṇam. Ahaṁ Vāyuḥ; prabhāvaṁ te darśayāmy ātmano balam.
Vāyu dit : «Ô Śālmalī ! Lorsque Nārada passait, tu as proféré des paroles qui me dénigraient. Je suis Vāyu. À présent, je te montrerai ma force et ma puissance.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Guard one’s speech: contemptuous criticism born of pride can provoke consequences. The verse highlights that disparaging a powerful being or principle (here, Vāyu) is not merely impolite but ethically reckless, inviting a corrective demonstration of reality.
Vāyu addresses Śālmali, stating that Śālmali insulted him to Nārada as Nārada passed by. In response, Vāyu announces he will demonstrate his own strength and influence to Śālmali.