Shloka 123
The Thirteen Inner Adversaries (Trayodaśa Doṣāḥ): Origins and Pacification
प्राणमात्रबला ये वै नैव ते बलिनो मता: । “मैं बलमें तुमसे बहुत बढ़-चढ़कर हूँ; अतः मुझे तुमसे भय नहीं मानना चाहिये। जो बुद्धिके बली होते हैं
prāṇamātrabalā ye vai naiva te balino matāḥ |
Itinuro ni Bhīṣma na ang mga taong ang lakas ay hanggang sa pagpapanatili lamang ng buhay—lakas ng katawan lamang—ay hindi tunay na itinuturing na malalakas. Ang tunay na lakas ay nasusukat sa kapangyarihan ng pag-unawa at paghatol; kaya’t huwag mangimi sa pisikal na lakas lamang, ni ipagmalaki ito bilang sandigan ng kawalang-takot.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Physical power alone is not true strength; genuine strength lies in buddhi—discernment, judgment, and self-control—so one should value wisdom over mere bodily might.
In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma is instructing the listener on ethical governance and conduct, emphasizing that intimidation or pride based on physical force is misguided because real superiority is grounded in intelligence and right understanding.