Shloka 9
Śālva Attacks Dvārakā; Pradyumna Leads the Defense
Saubha-vimāna and Māyā-yuddha
निरुध्य सेनया शाल्वो महत्या भरतर्षभ । पुरीं बभञ्जोपवनानुद्यानानि च सर्वश: ॥ ९ ॥ सगोपुराणि द्वाराणि प्रासादाट्टालतोलिका: । विहारान् स विमानाग्र्यान्निपेतु: शस्त्रवृष्टय: ॥ १० ॥ शिला द्रुमाश्चाशनय: सर्पा आसारशर्करा: । प्रचण्डश्चक्रवातोऽभूद् रजसाच्छादिता दिश: ॥ ११ ॥
nirudhya senayā śālvo mahatyā bharatarṣabha purīṁ babhañjopavanān udyānāni ca sarvaśaḥ
Wahai yang terbaik di antara keturunan Bharata, Śālva mengepung kota dengan pasukan besar dan menghancurkan taman-taman serta kebun-kebun di sekelilingnya. Gerbang-gerbang bertingkat, pintu-pintu, istana, menara pengamat, dan tempat rekreasi pun porak-poranda; dari pesawatnya yang unggul ia menurunkan hujan senjata—batu, batang pohon, petir bagaikan vajra, ular, dan butiran es. Angin puting beliung yang dahsyat bangkit, menutupi segala penjuru dengan debu.
FAQs
This verse describes Śālva surrounding the city with a massive army and ruthlessly destroying its groves and gardens, signaling a full-scale assault on Dvārakā.
To show the severity of the invasion: Śālva’s hostility was not limited to soldiers—he aimed to terrorize and damage the city’s very environment and civic life.
When stability is threatened from outside, one should recognize the seriousness of the challenge and respond with steadiness and dharmic resolve rather than denial.