Shloka 19
Śālva Attacks Dvārakā; Pradyumna Leads the Defense
Saubha-vimāna and Māyā-yuddha
विव्याध पञ्चविंशत्या स्वर्णपुङ्खैरयोमुखै: । शाल्वस्य ध्वजिनीपालं शरै: सन्नतपर्वभि: ॥ १८ ॥ शतेनाताडयच्छाल्वमेकैकेनास्य सैनिकान् । दशभिर्दशभिर्नेतृन् वाहनानि त्रिभिस्त्रिभि: ॥ १९ ॥
vivyādha pañca-viṁśatyā svarṇa-puṅkhair ayo-mukhaiḥ śālvasya dhvajinī-pālaṁ śaraiḥ sannata-parvabhiḥ
Pradyumna’s arrows had golden shafts, iron heads and perfectly smooth joints. With twenty-five he struck down Śālva’s commander-in-chief, and with one hundred he struck Śālva himself. Then he pierced the soldiers with one arrow each, the officers with ten each, and the horses and other carriers with three each.
FAQs
In this verse, Śukadeva describes the precise, overwhelming counterattack against Śālva’s forces—striking the main commander, then Śālva, then systematically disabling soldiers, leaders, and vehicles.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī narrates these events to King Parīkṣit as part of the Dvārakā battle episode involving Śālva.
The verse highlights disciplined focus—addressing the root threat, then removing supporting obstacles methodically—useful for confronting problems without panic and with steady resolve.