Shloka 16
Satya-lakṣaṇa (The Characteristics and Forms of Truth) | सत्यलक्षणम्
चन्दनै: स्यन्दनै: शालै: सरलैदेवदारुभि: । वेतसैर्धन्वनैश्लापि ये चान्ये बलवत्तरा:,तस्मात् त॑ वै नमस्यन्ति श्वसनं तरुसत्तमा: । चन्दन, स्यन्दन (तिनिश), शाल, सरल, देवदारु, वेतस (बेत), धामिन तथा अन्य जो बलवान वृक्ष हैं, उन जितात्मा वृक्षोंने भी कभी इस प्रकार वायु-देवपर आक्षेप नहीं किया है। दुर्बुद्धे! वे भी अपने और वायुके बलको अच्छी तरह जानते हैं; इसीलिये वे श्रेष्ठ वृक्ष वायुदेवके सामने मस्तक झुका देते हैं
candanais syandanaiḥ śālaiḥ saralaiḥ devadārubhiḥ | vetasair dhanvanaiś cāpi ye cānye balavattarāḥ, tasmāt taṁ vai namasyanti śvasanaṁ tarusattamāḥ |
चन्दनैः स्यन्दनैः शालैः सरलैर्देवदारुभिः । वेतसैर्धन्वनैश्चापि ये चान्ये बलवत्तराः ॥ तस्मात् तं वै नमस्यन्ति श्वसनं तरुसत्तमाः ।
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the strongest should recognize a truly superior force and respond with humility rather than blame. The verse uses great trees as examples: knowing their own limits and the Wind’s might, they ‘bow’—teaching restraint, realism, and respectful conduct.
Nārada illustrates a moral point through a nature-based analogy: he lists powerful trees and says that they do not accuse the Wind; instead, they acknowledge its power and submit. The image supports an admonition against foolishly faulting a stronger agent and encourages wise deference.