Shloka 23

Śālva Attacks Dvārakā; Pradyumna Leads the Defense

Saubha-vimāna and Māyā-yuddha

Devanagari script

यत्र यत्रोपलक्ष्येत ससौभ: सहसैनिक: । शाल्वस्ततस्ततोऽमुञ्चञ् छरान् सात्वतयूथपा: ॥ २३ ॥

Transliteration

yatra yatropalakṣyeta sa-saubhaḥ saha-sainikaḥ śālvas tatas tato ’muñcañ charān sātvata-yūthapāḥ

Translation

Wherever Śālva appeared with his Saubha craft and his soldiers, there the Sātvata—Yadu commanders—would release volleys of arrows at him.

Synonyms

• yatra: where
• yatra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yatra (अव्यय)
• Form: Deśa-avyaya (देश-अव्यय, relative adverb ‘where’)

• yatra: wherever
• yatra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yatra (अव्यय)
• Form: Punara-ukti (पुनरुक्ति) for distributive sense; deśa-avyaya

• upalakṣyeta: might be noticed/was spotted
• upalakṣyeta: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa + lakṣ (धातु)
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ (विधिलिङ्, Optative), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd/प्रथमपुरुष), Ekavacana (एकवचन); Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद); karmaṇi-prayoga (passive)

• sa-saubhaḥ: together with Saubha
• sa-saubhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (सह/स- उपसर्गार्थ) + saubha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Prathamā (1st/प्रथमा), Ekavacana (एकवचन); तत्पुरुषः—सौभेन सह (together with Saubha)

• saha-sainikaḥ: along with his troops
• saha-sainikaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: saha (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + sainika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Prathamā (1st/प्रथमा), Ekavacana (एकवचन); तत्पुरुषः—सैनिकैः सह (with soldiers)

• śālvaḥ: Śālva
• śālvaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śālva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Prathamā (1st/प्रथमा), Ekavacana (एकवचन)

• tataḥ: from there/then
• tataḥ: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Tasmāt-arthaka-avyaya (तस्मात्-अर्थक, ablatival adverb)

• tataḥ: from that place again
• tataḥ: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Punara-ukti; tasmāt-arthaka-avyaya

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

• śarān: arrows
• śarān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā (2nd/द्वितीया), Bahuvacana (बहुवचन)

• sātvata-yūthapāḥ: the Sātvata leaders
• sātvata-yūthapāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sātvata (प्रातिपदिक) + yūthapa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Prathamā (1st/प्रथमा), Bahuvacana (बहुवचन); तत्पुरुषः—सात्वतानां यूथपाः (leaders of the Sātvatas)

Characters & Entities

• Śālva
• Saubha
• Sātvatas

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Śālva and the Saubha airship?

This verse describes how Śālva, moving with his Saubha aircraft and troops, was repeatedly sighted, and how the Sātvata commanders responded by immediately showering him with arrows.

Why were the Sātvata leaders shooting arrows wherever Śālva appeared?

Because Śālva’s Saubha craft enabled sudden appearances and evasive movement in battle; the Vṛṣṇi/Sātvata commanders countered by attacking him instantly at every sighting to protect Dvārakā and uphold dharma.

Practical application of this verse in modern life?

Be alert and decisive when harmful influences appear—respond promptly with disciplined, righteous action rather than delay, especially when protecting sacred duties and those under your care.