Shloka 15
Saubha-ākhyāna: Śālva’s Approach and the Fortification of Dvārakā (सौभाख्यानम्—द्वारकायाः सुरक्षाविधानम्)
ततो मायामयं जाल॑ माययैव विदीर्य सः । साम्ब: शरसहस्रेण रथमस्याभ्यवर्षत,साम्बने उस मायामय बाणजालको मायासे ही छिजन्न-भिन्न करके क्षेमवृद्धिके रथपर सहस्रों बाणोंकी झड़ी लगा दी
tato māyāmayaṃ jālaṃ māyayāiva vidīrya saḥ | sāmbaḥ śarasahasreṇa ratham asyābhyavarṣata ||
Then, tearing apart that illusory net of missiles by counter-illusion itself, Sāmba showered his opponent’s chariot with a thousand arrows—meeting deception with skill and resolve, and pressing the fight without yielding to trickery.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
In conflict, deception may be met with discerning counter-skill: the verse highlights composure and strategic competence—neutralizing illusion without panic, then acting decisively.
An opponent deploys an illusory, net-like barrage. Sāmba breaks it using a counter-illusion and immediately follows up by raining a thousand arrows onto the opponent’s chariot.