Shloka 24
Śālva–Pradyumna Yuddha: Sārathya-kauśala, Astra-pratikāra, Daiva-niyati
Chapter 20
न हया न रथो वीर न यन्ता मम दारुक: । अदृश्यन्त शरैश्छन्नास्तथाहं सैनिकाश्न मे,वीरवर! उस समय मेरे घोड़े, रथ, मेरा सारथि दारुक, मैं तथा मेरे सारे सैनिक--सभी बाणोंसे आच्छादित होकर अदृश्य हो गये
na hayā na ratho vīra na yantā mama dārukaḥ | adṛśyanta śaraiś channās tathāhaṃ sainikāś ca me vīravara ||
Vāsudeva sprach: „O Held, weder meine Pferde noch mein Wagen noch mein Wagenlenker Dāruka waren zu sehen; und ich selbst wurde samt all meinen Kriegern unsichtbar, so völlig bedeckte uns der Pfeilhagel.“
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the intensity of conflict and the vulnerability of even great leaders in war; it implicitly highlights steadiness and composure amid overwhelming danger, a key ethical demand on kṣatriya leadership.
Vāsudeva describes a moment in battle when a dense volley of arrows so completely enveloped his chariot—horses, chariot, charioteer Dāruka, himself, and his troops—that they could no longer be seen.