Shloka 17
तस्मिन् विप्रद्रुते क्ूरे शाल्वस्याथ चमूपतौ । वेगवान् नाम दैतेय: सुतं मे5भ्यद्रवद् बली,शाल्वके क्रूर सेनापति क्षेमवृद्धिके भाग जाने-पर वेगवान् नामक बलवान दैत्यने मेरे पुत्रपर आक्रमण किया
tasmin vipradrute krūre śālvasya atha camūpatau | vegavān nāma daiteyaḥ sutaṁ me 'bhyadravad balī ||
When Śālva’s cruel commander of the army was thrown into confusion and routed, a mighty Dānava named Vegavān charged straight at my son. The episode underscores how, amid the chaos of battle, violent retaliation and opportunistic assaults arise, testing steadiness, protection of one’s dependents, and the warrior’s restraint under provocation.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a battlefield ethic: when disorder spreads and leaders fall back, adversaries may exploit the moment to strike at vulnerable targets. It implicitly stresses vigilance, the duty to protect one’s own, and the need for disciplined courage rather than panic or cruelty.
Vāyudeva reports that as Śālva’s cruel army-commander was being routed, a powerful Daitya named Vegavān rushed to attack Vāyudeva’s son, escalating the conflict at a critical turning point.