Shloka 25

Śālva Attacks Dvārakā; Pradyumna Leads the Defense

Saubha-vimāna and Māyā-yuddha

Devanagari script

शाल्वानीकपशस्‍त्रौघैर्वृष्णिवीरा भृशार्दिता: । न तत्यजू रणं स्वं स्वं लोकद्वयजिगीषव: ॥ २५ ॥

Transliteration

śālvānīkapa-śastraughair vṛṣṇi-vīrā bhṛśārditāḥ na tatyajū raṇaṁ svaṁ svaṁ loka-dvaya-jigīṣavaḥ

Translation

Obwohl die Helden der Vṛṣṇis durch den Waffenhagel von Śālvas Befehlshabern schwer gequält wurden, verließen sie ihre zugewiesenen Kampfplätze nicht, da sie Sieg in dieser und in der jenseitigen Welt erstrebten.

Synonyms

• śālva-anīka-pa-śastra-oghaiḥ: by masses of weapons of Śālva’s forces
• śālva-anīka-pa-śastra-oghaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śālva (प्रातिपदिक) + anīka (प्रातिपदिक) + pa (प्रातिपदिक) + śastra (प्रातिपदिक) + ogha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Tṛtīyā (3rd/तृतीया), Bahuvacana (बहुवचन); तत्पुरुषः—शाल्वस्य अनीकपानां शस्त्रौघाः (floods/masses of weapons of Śālva’s army-commanders)

• vṛṣṇi-vīrāḥ: the Vṛṣṇi warriors
• vṛṣṇi-vīrāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vṛṣṇi (प्रातिपदिक) + vīra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Prathamā (1st/प्रथमा), Bahuvacana (बहुवचन); तत्पुरुषः—वृष्णीनां वीराः (heroes of the Vṛṣṇis)

• bhṛśa-arditāḥ: severely afflicted
• bhṛśa-arditāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhṛśa (अव्यय) + ardita (कृदन्त; √ard धातु)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Prathamā (1st/प्रथमा), Bahuvacana (बहुवचन); भूतकृदन्त ardita (afflicted); bhṛśa as intensifying adverb

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Niṣedha-avyaya (निषेध-अव्यय)

• tatyajuḥ: they abandoned
• tatyajuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: tyaj (धातु)
• Form: Luṅ (लुङ्, Aorist), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd/प्रथमपुरुष), Bahuvacana (बहुवचन); Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• raṇam: the battle
• raṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: raṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā (2nd/द्वितीया), Ekavacana (एकवचन)

• svam: their own
• svam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā (2nd/द्वितीया), Ekavacana (एकवचन); possessive adjective

• svam: each his own
• svam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā (2nd/द्वितीया), Ekavacana (एकवचन); repetition for emphasis/distributive

• loka-dvaya-jigīṣavaḥ: desiring to conquer both worlds
• loka-dvaya-jigīṣavaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: loka (प्रातिपदिक) + dvaya (प्रातिपदिक) + jigīṣu (कृदन्त; desiderative from √ji धातु)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Prathamā (1st/प्रथमा), Bahuvacana (बहुवचन); jigīṣu = desiderative participial noun ‘wishing to conquer’; तत्पुरुषः—लोकद्वयं जिगीषवः (desiring to conquer both worlds)

Purport

Śrīla Prabhupāda writes: “The heroes of the Yadu dynasty were determined to either die on the battlefield or gain victory. They were confident of the fact that if they would die in the fighting they would attain a heavenly planet, and if they would come out victorious they would enjoy the world.”

Characters & Entities

• Śālva
• Vṛṣṇi warriors

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about courage under attack in Krishna’s battles?

This verse says that even when overwhelmed by waves of enemy weapons, the Vṛṣṇi heroes did not abandon their posts, showing steadfast courage and commitment to dharma.

Why did the Vṛṣṇi warriors refuse to leave their positions against Śālva’s army?

Because they were intent on victory—described as conquering “both worlds”—they held their ground, valuing honor, duty, and higher spiritual merit over fear.

How can this shloka be applied in modern life?

Stay steady in your rightful responsibilities even when pressured—endurance in dharma-focused duties brings both practical success and inner spiritual strength.