Shloka 26
Śālva–Pradyumna Yuddha: Sārathya-kauśala, Astra-pratikāra, Daiva-niyati
Chapter 20
न तत्र विषयस्त्वासीन्मम सैन्यस्य भारत । खे विषक्त हि तत् सौभ॑ क्रोशमात्र इवाभवत्,भारत! शाल्वका सौभविमान आकाशमें इस प्रकार प्रवेश कर गया था कि मेरे सैनिकोंकी दृष्टिमें आता ही नहीं था, मानो एक कोस दूर चला गया हो
na tatra viṣayas tv āsīn mama sainyasya bhārata | khe viṣaktaṃ hi tat saubha krośamātra ivābhavat, bhārata ||
قال فاسوديفا: «يا بهاراتا، لم يجد جيشي هناك مدىً واضحًا ولا هدفًا يُصاب. فإن ساوبها، وقد تعلّق بالسماء، كان يبدو كأنه على بُعد كروشا واحدة، ومع ذلك لم يدخل في مجال الرؤية ولا في متناول السهام.»
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a key ethical-strategic point in warfare: force alone is ineffective without clear perception and a legitimate, reachable target. It also underscores how deception or concealment can disrupt even a powerful army, implying the need for discernment and steadiness rather than impulsive violence.
Kṛṣṇa (Vāsudeva) explains that Śālva’s Saubha, suspended in the sky, could not be properly seen or engaged by his troops. Though it seemed to be only a krośa away, it stayed outside effective visibility and range, frustrating the army’s attempts to respond.