Shloka 19
Āraṇyaka-parva, Adhyāya 17 — Śālva’s encampment and the Yādava counter-engagement at Dvārakā
तस्मिन् निपतिते वीरे शाल्वराजे विचेतसि । सम्प्राद्रवन् दानवेन्द्रा दारयन्तो वसुंधराम्,वीर शाल्वराजके अचेत होकर गिर जानेपर उसकी सेनाके समस्त दानवराज पृथ्वीको विदीर्ण करके पातालमें पलायन कर गये
tasmin nipatite vīre śālvarāje vicetasi | samprādravan dānavendrā dārayanto vasuṃdharām ||
Cuando aquel heroico rey de Śālva cayó inconsciente, los principales Dānavas de su ejército huyeron despavoridos—hendiendo la tierra a su paso—y escaparon al Pātāla, el mundo subterráneo. La escena muestra cómo la caída de un caudillo puede quebrar la resolución de un ejército, y cómo quienes se alinean con el adharma suelen escoger la fuga y el ocultamiento antes que una responsabilidad firme.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the fragility of morale when leadership collapses: when the central warrior-king falls, his followers—here the Dānava chiefs—abandon the field and seek refuge. Ethically, it contrasts steadfastness with the tendency of adharma-aligned forces to retreat into concealment rather than face consequences.
After the heroic king of Śālva falls unconscious, the Dānava leaders panic and flee. Their escape is described as so forceful that they ‘rend the earth’ and disappear into Pātāla, emphasizing both their supernatural nature and the sudden rout of their side.