Shloka 18
Adhyāya 22: Śālva’s Weapon-Shower, Dāruka’s Wounding, and the Māyā-Report of Vasudeva’s Father
ततः पर्वतभारार्त्ता मन्दप्राणविचेष्टिता: । हया मम महाराज वेपमाना इवाभवन्,महाराज! उस समय पर्वतखण्डोंके भारसे पीड़ित हुए मेरे घोड़े कम्पित-से हो रहे थे। उनकी बलसाध्य चेष्टाएँ बहुत कम हो गयी थीं
tataḥ parvatabhārārtā mandaprāṇaviceṣṭitāḥ | hayā mama mahārāja vepamānā ivābhavan ||
Then, O great king, my horses—crushed by the weight of the mountain-masses—became as if trembling. Their movements grew feeble, and their vital force seemed diminished, showing how even great strength falters when burden and strain exceed what is right and sustainable.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical insight that power and capability have limits: when beings are overloaded, their vitality and effective action decline. It implicitly encourages restraint and compassion—avoiding excessive burdens on dependents and recognizing the cost of relentless exertion.
Vāyudeva describes to the king that his horses, weighed down by mountain-like loads, began to tremble and could barely move; their strength and breath were reduced under the crushing burden.