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 |
毗湿摩教诲道：凡其力量仅止于维系性命——不过是躯体之力者——并不被视为真正强者。真正的强大，以理解与明辨之力为尺度；因此，不应仅因肉体威势而心生畏惧，也不应以此自矜，作为无畏的凭据。
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.