Shloka 20
Saubha-ākhyāna: Śālva’s Approach and the Fortification of Dvārakā (सौभाख्यानम्—द्वारकायाः सुरक्षाविधानम्)
तया त्वभिहतो राजन् वेगवान् न््यपतद् भुवि । वातरुग्ण इव क्षुण्णो जीर्णमूलो वनस्पति:,राजन्! उस गदासे आहत होकर वेगवान् इस प्रकार पृथ्वीपर गिर पड़ा, मानो जीर्ण हुई जड़वाला पुराना वृक्ष हवाके वेगसे टूटकर धराशायी हो गया हो
tayā tv abhihato rājan vegavān nyapatad bhuvi | vātarugṇa iva kṣuṇṇo jīrṇamūlo vanaspatiḥ ||
O King, struck by that mace, Vegavān fell headlong to the earth—like an old tree with decayed roots, shattered and brought down by the force of the wind.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses a vivid simile to show that apparent might can collapse instantly when its underlying support is compromised—like a great tree whose roots have decayed. Ethically, it highlights the fragility of power and the decisive, sometimes sudden, consequences of violent action in a conflict setting.
Vāyudeva describes to the king that a powerful figure, after being struck by her mace, falls to the ground with great force. The fall is compared to an old, root-decayed tree that is broken and toppled by a strong wind.