आपद्धर्मानुशासन पर्व — नारद र शाल्मलिको संवाद

Narada said Forsooth, O Shalmali, the dreadful and irresistible god of wind always protects you friendliness.

It seems, O Shalmali, that a close intimacy exists between you and the Wind. It seems, you have said him these words, viz.,-I. am yours-and it is, therefore, that the Wind-god protects you.

I do not see the tree or mountain or palace in this world which may not, I think, be broken by the Wind.

Forsooth, you stand here with all your branches and twigs and leaves, simply because, O Shalmali, you are protected by the Wind for some reason or reasons (unknown to us)!

The Wind, O twice-born one, is either my friend nor companion nor well-wisher. Nor is he iny great Creator that he should protect me.

My terrific energy and power, O Narada, are the greater than the Wind's. In sooth, the strength of the Wind is only an eighteenth part of mine.

When the Wind blows fearfully, tearing up trees and mountains and other things, I abate his strength by displaying mine.

Indeed, the Wind that breaks many things has himself been again and agair broken by me. Therefore, O celestial Rishi, I am not afraid of him even when he comes in fury.

Narada said-O Shalmali, what you think seems to be quite the reverse of truth. There is no doubt in this. There is no created thing which is so strong as the Wind.

Even Indra, Yama, Vaishravana, of Varuna the king of the waters, is not equal to the god of wind in might. What to speak of you who are only a tree.

The illustrious Wind-god is always the root of all the acts of creatures in this world, since it is he that is the giver of life.

When the god does his work properly, he makes all living creatures live at their ease. When, however, he does it improperly, calamities visit the Earth.

What else can it be but weakness of understanding which induces you not to adore the god of wind, that foremost of beings in the universe, and worthy of adoration.

You are worthless and of a wicked understanding, you are but making an idleboast. Your intelligence being confounded by anger and other passions, you indulge in untruths, O Shalmali.

I am certainly angry with you, for your giving vent to such words. I shall myself communicate to the Windgod all these derogatory words of yours.

Chandanas, Syandanas, Shalas, Saralas, Devadarus, Vetasas and Dhanvanas and other noble trees that are far stronger than you, have never, you of wicked understanding, spoken such evil words against the Wind.

All of them are cognisant of the power of the Wind as also the power that each of them possesses. For these reasons those foremost of trees respectfully salute that god.

However, through folly, you are only unaware of the infinite power of the Wind, I shall, therefore, go to that god.