Shloka 13
Dvārakā’s Distress and the Saubha Engagement (द्वारकाव्यग्रता तथा सौभयुद्धम्)
उपायायाद्य शाल्वेन द्वारकां वृष्णिनन्दन । विषक्ते त्वयि दुर्धर्ष हतः शूरसुतो बलात्,“दुर्धर्ष वृष्णिनन्दन! आपके युद्धमें आसक्त होनेपर शाल्वने अभी द्वारकापुरीमें आकर शूरनन्दन वसुदेवजीको बलपूर्वक मार डाला है
upāyādyāś śālvena dvārakāṁ vṛṣṇinandana | viṣakte tvayi durdharṣa hataḥ śūrasuto balāt ||
Vāyu said: “O descendant of the Vṛṣṇis, O invincible one—while you were absorbed in battle, Śālva has now come to Dvārakā and, by force, has slain Śūra’s son (Vasudeva).”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores that dharma includes vigilance and responsibility beyond the battlefield: a warrior’s absorption in one conflict must not blind him to protecting his people, city, and elders; neglect can allow enemies to strike where one’s duty is also urgent.
Vāyudeva delivers an alarming report to Kṛṣṇa (addressed as Vṛṣṇinandana and durdharṣa): Śālva has arrived at Dvārakā and has forcibly killed Śūra’s son—understood in this context as Vasudeva—while Kṛṣṇa was engrossed in battle.