Shloka 13
Adhyāya 22: Śālva’s Weapon-Shower, Dāruka’s Wounding, and the Māyā-Report of Vasudeva’s Father
ततो वृष्णिप्रवीरा ये ममासन् सैनिकास्तदा । ते भयार्ता दिश: सर्वे सहसा वित्रदुद्रुवु:,यह देख वृष्णिकुलके श्रेष्ठ वीर जो मेरे सैनिक थे, भयसे आर्त हो सहसा चारों दिशाओंमें भाग चले
tato vṛṣṇipravīrā ye mamāsan sainikās tadā | te bhayārtā diśaḥ sarve sahasā vitradu-dravuḥ ||
Then those foremost heroes of the Vṛṣṇi line who were serving as my soldiers at that time—stricken with fear—suddenly fled in all directions. The scene underscores how even renowned warriors, when overwhelmed by terror, can abandon formation and duty, revealing the moral tension between courage and panic in moments of crisis.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Fame and lineage do not guarantee steadfastness; when fear overwhelms the mind, even capable warriors may abandon their duty. The verse highlights the ethical challenge of maintaining courage and discipline under sudden threat.
Vāyudeva narrates that the Vṛṣṇi heroes who were serving as his soldiers became terrified and, in a sudden panic, scattered and fled in all directions.