Shloka 1
Kṛṣṇasya asāṃnidhya-kāraṇaṃ — Śālva–Soubha-vṛttāntaḥ
Why Kṛṣṇa was absent; the Śālva and Saubha account
हि >> आय न (0) है 2 पञ्चदशो<् ध्याय: सौभनाशकी विस्तृत कथाके प्रसंगमें द्वारकामें युद्धसम्बन्धी रक्षात्मक तैयारियोंका वर्णन युधिछिर उवाच वासुदेव महाबाहो विस्तरेण महामते । सौभस्य वधमाचक्ष्व न हि तृप्पामि कथ्यत:,युधिष्ठिरने कहा--महाबाहो! वसुदेवनन्दन! महामते! तुम सौभ-विमानके नष्ट होनेका समाचार विस्तारपूर्वक कहो। मैं तुम्हारे मुखसे इस प्रसंगको सुनते-सुनते तृप्त नहीं हो रहा हूँ
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | vāsudeva mahābāho vistareṇa mahāmate | saubhasya vadham ācakṣva na hi tṛpyāmi kathyataḥ ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “O Vāsudeva, mighty-armed and great-minded! Tell me in full detail how Saubha was destroyed. As you recount it, I do not grow satiated—my desire to hear this account only deepens.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the value of attentive listening to accounts of righteous protection and the defeat of hostile forces. Yudhiṣṭhira’s insistence on hearing the details reflects a dharmic king’s concern for understanding how threats are met—learning strategy, responsibility, and the moral weight of warfare.
Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa) and requests a detailed narration of how Saubha was destroyed. The request frames a larger episode connected with conflict and defensive preparations, traditionally associated with the protection of Dvārakā against a formidable aerial stronghold.