Shloka 21
Saubha-ākhyāna: Śālva’s Approach and the Fortification of Dvārakā (सौभाख्यानम्—द्वारकायाः सुरक्षाविधानम्)
तस्मिन् विनिहते वीरे गदानुन्ने महासुरे । प्रविश्य महतीं सेनां योधयामास मे सुत:,गदासे घायल हुए उस वीर महादैत्यके मारे जानेपर मेरा पुत्र साम्ब शाल्वकी विशाल सेनामें घुसकर युद्ध करने लगा
tasmin vinihate vīre gadānunne mahāsure | praviśya mahatīṃ senāṃ yodhayāmāsa me sutaḥ ||
فلما قُتِلَ ذلك العِفريتُ العظيمُ البطلُ—وقد صُرِعَ بالهراوة—اندفع ابني إلى قلب الجيش الجرّار وشرع يقاتل. وتُبرز هذه الحادثة أنّ سقوطَ بطلٍ مهيبٍ لا يُطفئ لهيبَ الحرب؛ فالدَّرْمَا (الواجب) والعزمُ يدفعان المحاربَ التالي إلى اقتحام المعمعة.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness in duty amid violence: even after a major foe falls, responsibility and resolve compel the next warrior to act. It reflects the Mahābhārata’s recurring ethic of perseverance and role-based obligation in a battlefield context.
After a mighty asura (demon-like warrior) is killed—having been struck down by a mace—the speaker (Vāyudeva) says that his son enters the large army and begins fighting, escalating the battle rather than ending it.