Shloka 33
The Slaying of Śālva and the Destruction of Saubha
तं शस्त्रपूगै: प्रहरन्तमोजसा शाल्वं शरै: शौरिरमोघविक्रम: । विद्ध्वाच्छिनद् वर्म धनु: शिरोमणिं सौभं च शत्रोर्गदया रुरोज ह ॥ ३३ ॥
taṁ śastra-pūgaiḥ praharantam ojasā śālvaṁ śaraiḥ śaurir amogha-vikramaḥ viddhvācchinad varma dhanuḥ śiro-maṇiṁ saubhaṁ ca śatror gadayā ruroja ha
ശാൽവൻ മഹാബലത്തോടെ ആയുധവർഷം ചൊരിയുമ്പോൾ, അമോഘവിക്രമനായ ശൗരി ശ്രീകൃഷ്ണൻ ശരങ്ങളാൽ അവനെ കുത്തി, അവന്റെ കവചവും വില്ലും ശിരോമണിയും തകർത്തു. പിന്നെ പ്രഭു ഗദയാൽ ശത്രുവിന്റെ സൗഭവിമാനവും ചൂരലാക്കി।
Śrīla Prabhupāda writes: “Then Śālva thought that Kṛṣṇa had been bewildered by his mystic representations, he became encouraged and began to attack the Lord with greater strength and energy by showering volumes of arrows upon Him. But the enthusiasm of Śālva can be compared to the speedy march of flies into a fire. Lord Kṛṣṇa, by hurling His arrows with unfathomable strength, injured Śālva, whose armor, bow and jeweled helmet all scattered into pieces. With a crashing blow from Kṛṣṇa’s club, Śālva’s wonderful airplane burst into pieces and fell into the sea.”
FAQs
In this verse, Śukadeva describes how Lord Kṛṣṇa, with unfailing prowess, pierced Śālva with arrows and then smashed the Saubha craft with His mace, demonstrating the Lord’s supremacy over demonic power and illusion.
Śālva attacked Dvārakā and threatened the Lord’s people; Kṛṣṇa confronted him to protect His devotees and uphold dharma, ultimately dismantling Śālva’s weapons, defenses, and Saubha vehicle.
When adversity attacks with “volleys,” this verse reminds a devotee to take shelter of Kṛṣṇa’s unfailing strength—steadfast faith and disciplined practice help cut through fear and illusion, just as the Lord shattered the enemy’s defenses.