Shloka 28
Śālva–Pradyumna Yuddha: Sārathya-kauśala, Astra-pratikāra, Daiva-niyati
Chapter 20
मत्कराग्रविनिर्मुक्ता दानवानां शरास्तथा । अड्रेषु रुचिरापाज़ा विविशु: शलभा इव,तब मेरे हाथोंसे छूटे हुए मनोहर पंखवाले बाण दानवोंके अंगोंमें शलभोंकी भाँति घुसने लगे
matkarāgraviniḥmuktā dānavānāṃ śarās tathā | aḍreṣu rucirāpāṅkhā viviśuḥ śalabhā iva ||
Vāsudeva berkata: “Maka anak-anak panah yang kulepaskan dari ujung busurku—berkilau dan berhiaskan bulu yang elok—menembus tubuh para Dānava, berkerumun masuk seperti ngengat yang menerjang nyala api.”
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores that in a dharmic struggle, disciplined and purposeful force—especially in the hands of a righteous protector—acts swiftly and decisively; those who choose aggression meet the natural consequences of their own enmity.
Vāsudeva describes releasing well-feathered arrows that penetrate the Dānavas’ bodies, comparing their rapid, irresistible entry to moths rushing into a fire—an image emphasizing speed, inevitability, and the overwhelming momentum of combat.