Śālva–Pradyumna Yuddha: Sārathya-kauśala, Astra-pratikāra, Daiva-niyati
Chapter 20
तस्य शार्ड्रविनिर्मुक्तिबहुभिमर्म भेदिभि: । पुंर नासाद्यत शरैस्ततो मां रोष आविशत्,मेरे शार्क़ धनुषसे छूटे हुए बहुत-से मर्मभेदी बाण शाल्वके विमानतक नहीं पहुँच सके। इससे मैं रोषमें भर गया
tasya śāradravinirmuktibahubhir marma-bhedibhiḥ | pūrvaṃ nāsādyata śaraiḥ tato māṃ roṣa āviśat ||
Aunque había soltado desde mi arco Śārṅga muchas flechas que perforan los puntos vitales, no llegaron hasta él como antes. Al ver que mis saetas no daban en el blanco, la ira se alzó dentro de mí.
वासुदेव उवाच
The verse highlights controlled but purposeful anger in the context of dharma-yuddha: when righteous effort is obstructed, the warrior’s resolve intensifies. Ethically, it suggests that emotion (roṣa) can arise naturally, yet it must serve duty and discernment rather than personal cruelty.
Vāsudeva describes a moment in combat where many of his arrows—aimed to pierce vital points—fail to reach the opponent as expected. This unexpected failure provokes his anger, signaling an escalation in determination and the seriousness of the confrontation.