Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira then asked, "What should a weak person do if, out of foolishness and pride, he

provokes a stronger enemy to angrily attack him?" Bhéñma replied by narrating this story: There was
once a great çälmali tree in the Himälayas, and because of its great size, it was the resort for many birds
and animals, as well as weary travelers who would rest in its shade. One day, Närada Muni came there,
and upon seeing the greatness of the tree, he said, "My dear çälmali, you are so large, majestic and
beautiful, and you are magnanimously providing the necessities of life for innumerable living beings.
Since none of your branches have been broken by Väyu, I can understand that you must be a very
intimate friend of the wind-god. The all powerful wind cannot only destroy any tree, but mountain
peaks as well, and thus I can understand that you are living under his protection." Upon hearing this, the
çälmali tree arrogantly replied, "O Åñi, the wind is neither my friend nor my well-wisher, nor do I require
protection from him. As far as I am concerned, the wind's power does not equal even one-sixteenth of
my own. Whenever the raging wind comes here, it is I who am able to curb him down by my superior
strength." When Närada Muni heard these boasting words, he became very angry and said, "O foolish
çälmali, there are many trees which are far greater than you who have submissively bowed down before
Väyu. The lord of the air deserves the respect of all creatures, and I am now going to inform him of your
conceit. Thus, you shall very soon witness the result of your arrogance!" 1058 Närada Muni then went to
Väyu and informed him of how the çälmali tree had insulted him. After hearing Närada's words, Väyu
became highly enraged. Immediately going to the çälmali tree, the wind-god exclaimed, "You wretch!
During the creation, Lord Brahmä had once rested beneath you, and for that reason I have always
spared you. Now, however, since you have become falsely puffed-up, I shall give you an exhibition of my
great prowess that you will never forget!" In response, the tree simply laughed derisively and then
challenged, "O Väyu, you can display your full might if you so desire. However, rest assured that I am not
at all afraid of you." The wind-god then declared, "O çälmali, I will test your strength tomorrow!" and
then departed. That night, the çälmali tree began to repent, for he could understand that he had
foolishly incurred the wrath of a person of superior prowess. At last, the çälmali devised a means to save
himself from being uprooted, and for this purpose, he made all of his branches, leaves and flowers fall to
the ground. Thus, when the wind-god came raging toward him the next morning, knocking down many
large trees which stood in his path, he saw how the çälmali tree had already become deprived of its
splendor. Väyu then smilingly said, "O çälmali, since you have already done that which I would have
angrily accomplished, I shall spare you." The çälmali tree felt very ashamed on account of his defeat, and
while remembering the words of Närada Muni, he bitterly repented for his foolishness. Bhéñma then
said, "My dear Yudhiñöhira, repentance is the result when a weaker person creates enmity with a
stronger person."