Mahabharata 3.21.22 — Vana Parva, Adhyaya 21, Shloka 22
Dvārakā’s Distress and the Saubha Engagement (द्वारकाव्यग्रता तथा सौभयुद्धम्)
ततो<पश्यं महाराज प्रपतन्तमहं तदा । सौभाच्छूरसुतं वीर ततो मां मोह आविशत्,वीर महाराज! इसी समय मैंने देखा, सौभविमानसे मेरे पिता वसुदेवजी नीचे गिर रहे हैं। इससे शाल्वकी मायासे मुझे मूर्च्छा-सी आ गयी
tato ’paśyaṁ mahārāja prapatantam ahaṁ tadā | saubhāc chūrasutaṁ vīra tato māṁ moha āviśat ||
ثمّ، أيها الملك العظيم، في تلك اللحظة رأيتُه يهوي. ومن قصر ساوبها الطائر أبصرتُ ابنَ شُورا البطل (فاسوديفا) يندفع إلى أسفل؛ فلمّا رأيتُ ذلك استولت عليّ الحيرةُ وغشيٌ كالإغماء، بفعل مَايَا شالڤا وخداعها.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how deceptive appearances (māyā) can overwhelm even a powerful being with moha (bewilderment). Ethically, it cautions that in moments of shock—especially involving revered elders—one must strive for steadiness and discernment rather than being carried away by illusion-driven panic.
Vāyudeva addresses the king and recounts that he saw the Śūrasuta (Vasudeva) falling from Saubha, the aerial palace/city. Witnessing this sudden, alarming sight, Vāyudeva is seized by moha, experiencing a swoon-like confusion—suggesting the event is tied to a deceptive or extraordinary circumstance.
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