Shloka 103
शल्मलि–पवनसंवादः
The Dialogue of Śalmali and Pavana
ददाह तद् वन॑ घोरं मृगपक्षिसमाकुलम् | हवासे उड़ी हुई चिनगारियों तथा ज्वालाओंद्वारा चारों और फैलकर उस दावानलने पशु-पक्षियोंसे भरे हुए भयंकर वनको जलाना आरम्भ किया
dadāha tad vanaṁ ghoraṁ mṛga-pakṣi-samākulam |
Bhīṣma berkata: Kebakaran rimba yang ganas mula memakan hutan yang menggerunkan itu, yang penuh sesak dengan binatang dan burung, ketika percikan dan lidah api merebak ke segala arah.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses the image of a spreading forest fire to highlight ethical causality: when destructive impulses or actions are unleashed, they expand beyond control and harm many who are not responsible. It cautions toward restraint, foresight, and dharmic governance of anger and violence.
Bhishma describes a terrifying wildfire spreading through a forest packed with animals and birds, burning it as sparks and flames scatter everywhere. The description functions as vivid narrative imagery and as a moral illustration of indiscriminate devastation.