Shloka 21
Āraṇyaka-parva, Adhyāya 17 — Śālva’s encampment and the Yādava counter-engagement at Dvārakā
तत उत्थाय कौरव्य प्रतिलभ्य च चेतनाम् । मुमोच बाणान् सहसा प्रद्युम्नाय महाबल:,कुरुश्रेष्ठ! तत्पश्चात् जब चेत हुआ, तब महाबली शाल्व सहसा उठकर प्रद्युम्नपर बाणोंकी वर्षा करने लगा
tata utthāya kauravya pratilabhya ca cetanām | mumoca bāṇān sahasā pradyumnāya mahābalaḥ || kuruśreṣṭha! tatpaścāt yadā ceto bhavati, tadā mahābalī śālvaḥ sahasotthāya pradyumnopari bāṇavarṣaṃ mumoca ||
Entonces, oh vástago de los Kurus, al recobrar el sentido, el guerrero de gran fuerza se incorporó de súbito y descargó sobre Pradyumna una veloz lluvia de flechas. La escena reafirma una ética marcial recurrente del poema: aun abatido o aturdido, quien se repone no renuncia a su determinación, sino que vuelve al combate de inmediato—la perseverancia y el poder inclinando el curso de la batalla.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness in duty: a warrior who regains awareness returns immediately to action, reflecting the epic’s emphasis on resolve and the kṣatriya ideal of not yielding once capable.
After being rendered unconscious or stunned, Śālva recovers, rises quickly, and attacks Pradyumna by releasing a sudden volley of arrows.