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 |
Bhishma disse: “Ai de mim, sou impotente diante do poder do Vento — ele é, de fato, mais forte. Ah! As palavras que um dia disse a Narada foram todas falsas. Não posso enfrentar Vayu, pois em força ele me supera.”
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.