Shloka 17
Adhyāya 22: Śālva’s Weapon-Shower, Dāruka’s Wounding, and the Māyā-Report of Vasudeva’s Father
ततो5हमिन्द्रदयितं सर्वपाषाण भेदनम् । वज़मुद्यम्य तान् सर्वान् पर्वतान् समशातयम्,तब मैंने सब प्रकारके प्रस्तरोंको विदीर्ण करनेवाले इन्द्रके प्रिय आयुध वज्रका प्रहार करके उन समस्त शिलाखण्डोंको चूर-चूर कर दिया
tato ’ham indradayitaṁ sarvapāṣāṇa-bhedanam | vajram udyamya tān sarvān parvatān samaśātayam ||
Then I lifted up the thunderbolt—Indra’s beloved weapon, capable of splitting every kind of rock—and struck, crushing all those mountains into fragments. In the narrative, Vāyu emphasizes decisive divine force used to remove an obstructing mass, presenting power as an instrument for clearing impediments rather than for needless harm.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power, especially divine or entrusted power, is portrayed as legitimate when used to remove grave obstacles and restore order; force is framed as purposeful and corrective rather than gratuitous.
Vāyudeva recounts raising Indra’s thunderbolt (Vajra) and striking so as to shatter the mountains/rock-masses completely, highlighting the irresistible efficacy of the weapon.