Shloka 153
The Thirteen Inner Adversaries (Trayodaśa Doṣāḥ): Origins and Pacification
असमर्थो हाहं वायोर्बलेन बलवान हि सः । “अहो! मैंने नारदजीसे जो बातें कही थीं, वे सब झूठी थीं। मैं वायुका सामना करनेमें असमर्थ हूँ; क्योंकि वे बलमें मुझसे बढ़े हुए हैं
asamartho hāhaṁ vāyor balena balavān hi saḥ | aho! mayā nāradajī-se yo bātẽ kahī thīṁ, ve sab jhūṭhī thīṁ | ahaṁ vāyu-kā sāmnā karane meṁ asamartha hūṁ; kyoṅki ve bala meṁ mujhse baṛhe hue haiṁ |
ビーシュマは言った。「ああ、私は風の威力の前に無力だ——彼はまことに強い。ああ！かつてナーラダに語った言葉は、すべて偽りであった。私はヴァーユに抗し得ぬ。力において彼は私を凌ぐのだから。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical self-correction: when one recognizes exaggeration or untruth, one should admit it openly. It also teaches humility—acknowledging limits and respecting superior forces rather than clinging to pride.
Bhishma confesses that his earlier claims to Narada were untrue and admits he cannot contend with Vayu, who exceeds him in strength. The moment functions as a candid recognition of reality and a moral pivot toward honesty.