Shloka 15
Droṇa’s Conditional Boon: The Plan to Capture Yudhiṣṭhira (द्रोणेन युधिष्ठिरग्रहणोपायः)
तत्पश्चात् माधवने आकाशमें स्थित रहनेवाले सौभ नामक दुर्धर्ष दैत्य-नगरको, जो राजा शाल्दद्वारा सुरक्षित था, समुद्रके बीच पराक्रम करके मार गिराया ।। अड्डान् वज़ान् कलिज्रांश्न मागधान् काशिकोसलान् | वात्स्यगार्ग्यकरूषांश्व॒ पौण्डरांशक्राप्पजयद् रणे,उन्होंने रणक्षेत्रमें अंग, वंग, कलिंग, मगध, काशि, कोसल, वत्स, गर्ग, करूष तथा पौण्ड़र आदि देशोंपर विजय पायी थी
tataḥ paścāt mādhavena ākāśe sthitaṃ saubha-nāmakaṃ durdharṣaṃ daitya-nagaraṃ, yad rājñā śālvena rakṣitaṃ, samudra-madhye parākrameṇa nipātitam. aṅgān vaṅgān kaliṅgān māgadhān kāśi-kosalān | vātsyān gārgyān karūṣāṃś ca pauṇḍrāṃś ca rane ’jayat ||
Thereafter, Mādhava (Kṛṣṇa) by his prowess struck down in the midst of the sea the formidable demon-city named Saubha, which was stationed in the sky and protected by King Śālva. In battle he also overcame the peoples of Aṅga, Vaṅga, Kaliṅga, Magadha, Kāśī and Kosala, as well as the Vatsas, the Gārgyas, the Karūṣas, and the Pauṇḍras.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that seemingly impregnable power—symbolized by an aerial, demon-protected fortress—can be brought down when confronted by superior, purpose-driven strength. It frames valor not as mere aggression but as effective power used to neutralize destabilizing forces.
Vaiśampāyana recounts Mādhava (Kṛṣṇa) destroying the formidable aerial city Saubha, protected by King Śālva, and then lists various regions/peoples said to have been defeated in battle, emphasizing the breadth of military success.