Shloka 176
Satya-lakṣaṇa (The Characteristics and Forms of Truth) | सत्यलक्षणम्
तस्मात् त॑ वै नमस्यन्ति श्वसनं तरुसत्तमा: । चन्दन
tasmāt taṁ vai namasyanti śvasanaṁ tarusattamāḥ | candanaḥ syandanaḥ (tiniśaḥ) śālaḥ saralaḥ devadāruḥ vetasaḥ dhāmin tathā anye balavantaḥ taravaḥ | te jitātmānaḥ taravaḥ api kadācit evaṁ vāyu-devaṁ prati ākṣepaṁ na kṛtavantaḥ | durbuddhe! te api sva-balaṁ vāyoḥ balaṁ ca suṣṭhu jānanti; tasmāt te śreṣṭha-taravaḥ vāyu-devasya purataḥ mastakaṁ namayanti |
Karena itu, wahai yang terbaik di antara pepohonan, pepohonan yang paling mulia menundukkan diri memberi hormat kepada Sang Angin. Cendana, syandana (tiniśa), śāla, sarala, deodāru, vetasa, dhāmin, dan pohon-pohon perkasa lainnya—pohon-pohon yang mengekang diri itu tak pernah, kapan pun, melontarkan tuduhan kepada Dewa Angin seperti ini. Wahai yang berakal tumpul, mereka mengetahui benar kekuatan mereka sendiri dan kekuatan Sang Angin; sebab itulah pepohonan unggul itu menundukkan kepala di hadapan Dewa Vāyu.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the strongest should practice discernment and humility: knowing one’s limits and acknowledging a superior force (here, Vāyu) is wiser than blaming or reproaching. Self-mastery expresses itself as respectful restraint rather than proud complaint.
Nārada points to renowned, powerful trees—sandalwood and others—as examples. Though they are strong, they do not accuse the Wind-god; understanding both their own power and Vāyu’s greater power, they bow their heads before him. The comparison rebukes an arrogant attitude and urges respectful submission to rightful superiority.