Shloka 24

Śālva Attacks Dvārakā; Pradyumna Leads the Defense

Saubha-vimāna and Māyā-yuddha

Devanagari script

शरैरग्‍न्यर्कसंस्पर्शैराशीविषदुरासदै: । पीड्यमानपुरानीक: शाल्वोऽमुह्यत्परेरितै: ॥ २४ ॥

Transliteration

śarair agny-arka-saṁsparśair āśī-viṣa-durāsadaiḥ pīḍyamāna-purānīkaḥ śālvo ’muhyat pareritaiḥ

Translation

Harassed by the enemy’s arrows—searing like fire and the sun, and intolerable as serpent venom—Śālva saw his army and aerial city in distress and became bewildered.

Synonyms

• śaraiḥ: by arrows
• śaraiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Tṛtīyā (3rd/तृतीया), Bahuvacana (बहुवचन)

• agni-arka-saṁsparśaiḥ: by fire-and-sun-like contacts (burning impacts)
• agni-arka-saṁsparśaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: agni (प्रातिपदिक) + arka (प्रातिपदिक) + saṁsparśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Tṛtīyā (3rd/तृतीया), Bahuvacana (बहुवचन); तत्पुरुषः—अग्न्यर्कयोः संस्पर्शाः (contacts like fire and sun; i.e., burning touches)

• āśī-viṣa-durāsadaiḥ: by those hard-to-face like poisonous snakes
• āśī-viṣa-durāsadaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: āśī-viṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + durāsada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Tṛtīyā (3rd/तृतीया), Bahuvacana (बहुवचन); तत्पुरुषः—आशीविषवत् दुरासदाः (hard to approach like venomous serpents)

• pīḍyamāna-purānīkaḥ: whose army was being harassed
• pīḍyamāna-purānīkaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pīḍyamāna (कृदन्त; √pīḍ धातु) + purānīka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Prathamā (1st/प्रथमा), Ekavacana (एकवचन); वर्तमानकृदन्त (present passive participle) pīḍyamāna; तत्पुरुषः—पीड्यमानं पुरानीकं यस्य (whose army was being tormented)

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

• amuhyat: became bewildered
• amuhyat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: muh (धातु)
• Form: Luṅ (लुङ्, Aorist), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd/प्रथमपुरुष), Ekavacana (एकवचन); Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• para-īritaiḥ: by those urged by others
• para-īritaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक) + īrita (कृदन्त; √īr धातु)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Tṛtīyā (3rd/तृतीया), Bahuvacana (बहुवचन); भूतकृदन्त īrita; तत्पुरुषः—परैः ईरितैः (impelled/urged by others)

Purport

Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī explains that the arrows of the Yadu commanders burned like fire, struck simultaneously from all sides like the sun’s rays, and, like snake venom, were lethal by a single touch.

Characters & Entities

• Śālva
• Śrī Kṛṣṇa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Krishna’s arrows and divine power in battle?

This verse describes Kṛṣṇa’s arrows as scorching like fire and the sun and as irresistible as venomous serpents, showing the Lord’s supreme potency that no worldly force can withstand.

Why did Śālva become bewildered while fighting Krishna in Canto 10?

Because Kṛṣṇa’s relentless, divinely empowered attack crushed and tormented Śālva’s forces, breaking his confidence and clarity amid the battle.

What is the practical application of this shloka in modern life?

When faced with overwhelming adversity, remember that the Supreme can dismantle even the strongest obstacles; steadiness and surrender to God help one move through fear and confusion.