Shloka 9
Śālva–Pradyumna Yuddha: Sārathya-kauśala, Astra-pratikāra, Daiva-niyati
Chapter 20
शाल्वराजविनाशाय प्रयातं मां निबोधत । नाहत्वा त॑ निवर्तिष्ये पुरी द्वारवतीं प्रति,“मैं शाल्वराजका नाश करनेके लिये यहाँसे प्रस्थान करता हूँ। आप यह निश्चय जानें; मैं शाल्वका वध किये बिना द्वारकापुरीको नहीं लौटूँगा
śālvarāja-vināśāya prayātaṁ māṁ nibodhata | nāhatvā taṁ nivartiṣye purīṁ dvāravatīṁ prati ||
Vāsudeva berkata: “Ketahuilah dengan pasti: aku berangkat untuk membinasakan Raja Śālva. Aku tidak akan kembali menuju kota Dvāravatī sebelum Śālva kutewaskan.”
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfast resolve aligned with kṣatriya-dharma: when a threat endangers the community, a protector must act decisively and not retreat until the duty is fulfilled. It also underscores ethical seriousness—speech becomes a vow, and responsibility is carried through to completion.
Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa) announces to those present that he is departing specifically to destroy King Śālva. He declares he will not return to Dvāravatī (Dvārakā) until Śālva has been slain, signaling an imminent campaign and an unshakeable commitment to neutralize the enemy.