Shloka 1.54.22
शबलाहरणम् — The Attempted Seizure of Sabalā (Kāmadhenu) and the Triumph of Brahmic Power
दीर्घासिपट्टिशधरैःमवर्णाम्बरावृतै:।निर्दग्धं तद्बलं सर्वं प्रदीप्तैरिव पावकै:।।।।
dīrghāsipaṭṭiśadharaiḥ hemavarṇāmbarāvṛtaiḥ | nirdagdhaṃ tad balaṃ sarvaṃ pradīptair iva pāvakaiḥ ||
Armed with long swords and lances, clad in yellow garments, they consumed that entire force—like blazing fires.
Sakas and Yavanas, armed with swords and lances, clad in yellow apparel, looking like flaming fire destroyed the entire army.
Unchecked aggression brings destruction. Dharma demands that strength be governed by right purpose and restraint, not mere dominance.
The newly manifested warrior-groups devastate the opposing army, described through vivid fire imagery.
By contrast, the episode points toward the virtue of self-control (dama) and humility, as the destructive capacity of force is highlighted.