Shloka 11
शल्मलि–पवनसंवादः
The Dialogue of Śalmali and Pavana
ततः स देहमोक्षार्थ सम्प्रहषष्टेन चेतसा,अभ्यधावत वर्धन्तं पावकं लुब्धकस्तदा । बहेलिया अपने शरीरका परित्याग करनेके लिये मनमें हर्ष और उल्लास भरकर उस बढ़ती हुई आगकी ओर दौड़ पड़ा
tataḥ sa dehamokṣārthaṃ samprahṛṣṭena cetasā, abhyadhāvat vardhantaṃ pāvakaṃ lubdhakas tadā |
मग तो लुब्धक देहत्याग करण्याच्या हेतूने, हर्षोन्मादाने भरलेल्या चित्ताने, वाढत चाललेल्या त्या अग्नीकडे धावून गेला. हा देखावा कठोर निश्चय दाखवतो—संयम वा पश्चात्तापाकडे वळण्याऐवजी तो आत्मविनाशाकडेच पुढे सरकतो।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how a mind seized by intense emotion can mistake self-destruction for “release.” In the ethical frame of Śānti Parva, it invites reflection on right resolve (dharma-guided intention) versus impulsive or despair-driven action, and on the need for discernment before irreversible deeds.
A hunter, seeking to abandon his body, becomes exhilarated and rushes toward a fire that is spreading. The action is presented as a decisive movement toward bodily death, setting up a moral and psychological moment within Bhīṣma’s discourse.