Shloka 10
The Thirteen Inner Adversaries (Trayodaśa Doṣāḥ): Origins and Pacification
भीष्म उवाच एवमुक्तस्तत: प्राह शाल्मलि: प्रहसन्निव । पवन त्वं च मे क्रुद्धों दर्शयात्मानमात्मना
bhīṣma uvāca evam uktas tataḥ prāha śālmalī prahasann iva | pavana tvaṃ ca me kruddho darśayātmānam ātmanā ||
भीष्म बोले—“राजन्! ऐसा कहे जाने पर शाल्मली मानो हँसते हुए बोला—‘हे पवनदेव! यदि तुम मुझ पर क्रुद्ध हो, तो अपने ही बल से अपना स्वरूप प्रकट करो—अपनी पूरी शक्ति दिखाओ।’”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how mockery and pride can provoke a display of force, implying an ethical warning: speech should be restrained and humble, because taunting power invites consequences and escalates conflict.
Bhishma narrates that after Pavana speaks, Śālmalī responds with a laugh-like, taunting tone, challenging the Wind-god—if he is truly angry, he should reveal himself and demonstrate his full strength.