Shloka 18
तस्य वर्म विभिवद्याशु स बाणो मत्सुतेरित: । विव्याध हृदयं पत्री स मुमोह पपात च,मेरे पुत्रके चलाये हुए उस बाणने शाल्वके कवचको छेदकर उसके हृदयको बींध डाला। इससे वह मूर्च्छित होकर गिर पड़ा
tasya varma vibhidya āśu sa bāṇo matsuta-īritaḥ | vivyādha hṛdayaṃ patrī sa mumohā papāta ca ||
The arrow, swiftly loosed by my son, pierced through his armour and struck straight into his heart. Wounded thus, he lost consciousness and fell to the ground—showing how, in battle, skill and fate can overturn even a well-protected warrior in an instant.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even strong external protections (like armour) can fail when confronted by decisive action and circumstance; the episode underscores the fragility of embodied life in war and the swift, irreversible consequences of violence.
Vāyudeva describes how an arrow shot by his son breaks through Śālva’s armour, pierces his heart, and causes Śālva to faint and collapse.