Shloka 2
The Slaying of Śālva and the Destruction of Saubha
विधमन्तं स्वसैन्यानि द्युमन्तं रुक्मिणीसुत: । प्रतिहत्य प्रत्यविध्यान्नाराचैरष्टभि: स्मयन् ॥ २ ॥
vidhamantaṁ sva-sainyāni dyumantaṁ rukmiṇī-sutaḥ pratihatya pratyavidhyān nārācair aṣṭabhiḥ smayan
In Pradyumna’s absence, Dyumān was ravaging his army; but now Rukmiṇī’s son Pradyumna counterattacked with a smile and pierced Dyumān with eight nārāca arrows.
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī comments that Pradyumna challenged Dyumān, saying “Now see if you can strike Me!” After saying this and allowing Dyumān to shoot his weapons, Pradyumna released His own deadly arrows.
FAQs
Rukmiṇī’s son here is Pradyumna, who repulses Dyumān and counters him with eight nārāca arrows.
A nārāca is a powerful, iron-pointed arrow used in warfare; in this verse Pradyumna uses eight of them to pierce his opponent.
It reflects steadiness and confidence—acting decisively in one’s duty without panic, even amid conflict and pressure.