Shloka 27
Śālva Attacks Dvārakā; Pradyumna Leads the Defense
Saubha-vimāna and Māyā-yuddha
प्रद्युम्नं गदया शीर्णवक्ष:स्थलमरिंदमम् । अपोवाह रणात्सूतो धर्मविद् दारुकात्मज: ॥ २७ ॥
pradyumnaṁ gadayā sīrṇa- vakṣaḥ-sthalam ariṁ-damam apovāha raṇāt sūto dharma-vid dārukātmajaḥ
Thinking that the club had shattered the chest of the valiant Pradyumna, his charioteer—the dharma-knowing son of Dāruka—carried him away from the battlefield.
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains that actually Lord Pradyumna has a sac-cid-ānanda body, an eternal, spiritual form that can never be wounded by mundane weapons. Dāruka’s son, however, was a great devotee of the Lord, and out of intense love he feared for the safety of his master and thus removed Him from the battlefield.
FAQs
This verse highlights dharma as practical duty: the charioteer, knowing what is right, protects his warrior by withdrawing him when he is dangerously wounded.
Because Pradyumna’s chest had been shattered by a mace blow, and the charioteer—described as dharma-vid—acted responsibly to save him from immediate peril.
Even in intense struggle, wisdom means knowing when to step back, seek protection, and preserve strength—dharma includes timely retreat, not reckless persistence.