Shloka 8
शल्मलि–पवनसंवादः
The Dialogue of Śalmali and Pavana
बशभ्राम तस्मिन् विजने नानामृगसमाकुले । ततो द्रुमाणां महता पवनेन वने तदा
babhāma tasmin vijane nānā-mṛga-samākule | tato drumāṇāṃ mahatā pavanena vane tadā dadāha pāvakaḥ kruddho yugāntāgni-samaprabhaḥ |
Bhishma berkata: Di belantara sunyi yang dipenuhi pelbagai jenis binatang liar, dia merayau dalam kekeliruan. Kemudian, angin kencang membuat pohon-pohon bergesel sesama sendiri, lalu tercetuslah kebakaran besar di rimba itu. Dewa Api yang murka—menyala seperti api pemusnah pada penghujung suatu zaman—mula membakar hutan itu, merebak melalui sulur, dahan, dan batang-batangnya. Adegan ini mengingatkan bahawa kuasa yang tidak terkawal, apabila sudah menyala, mampu menelan seluruh lingkungan; suatu amaran terhadap kelalaian dan rangkaian sebab yang berantai.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse illustrates how powerful outcomes can arise from seemingly ordinary conditions: isolation, confusion, and a strong wind lead to a devastating fire. Ethically, it cautions that negligence and uncontrolled impulses can trigger cascading harm, just as friction among trees under violent wind ignites a forest-wide blaze.
A figure wanders in a deserted forest full of wild animals. Suddenly, a fierce wind causes trees to rub together, igniting a massive forest fire. The fire, personified as the enraged Pāvaka (Agni), spreads rapidly, burning creepers, branches, and trees like the cosmic fire of dissolution.