Shloka 36
The Slaying of Śālva and the Destruction of Saubha
जहार तेनैव शिर: सकुण्डलं किरीटयुक्तं पुरुमायिनो हरि: । वज्रेण वृत्रस्य यथा पुरन्दरो बभूव हाहेति वचस्तदा नृणाम् ॥ ३६ ॥
jahāra tenaiva śiraḥ sa-kuṇḍalaṁ kirīṭa-yuktaṁ puru-māyino hariḥ vajreṇa vṛtrasya yathā purandaro babhūva hāheti vacas tadā nṛṇām
Par ce même disque, Hari emporta la tête du grand magicien, avec ses boucles d’oreilles et sa couronne, comme Purandara avait tranché celle de Vṛtra de son foudre. À cette vue, les partisans de Śālva s’écrièrent : «Hélas ! hélas !»
FAQs
This verse shows that even a “master of many illusions” like Śālva is effortlessly overcome by Lord Hari, indicating that māyā cannot stand before the Supreme Lord’s power.
The text uses a famous Vedic parallel—Indra’s thunderbolt killing Vṛtra—to highlight the decisiveness and heroism of Kṛṣṇa’s act in removing a great threat.
When confusion, deceit, or fear feels overpowering, this verse encourages devotees to take shelter of Kṛṣṇa, trusting that divine truth cuts through even the strongest illusions.