Shloka 21
The Slaying of Śālva and the Destruction of Saubha
गदायां सन्निवृत्तायां शाल्वस्त्वन्तरधीयत । ततो मुहूर्त आगत्य पुरुष: शिरसाच्युतम् । देवक्या प्रहितोऽस्मीति नत्वा प्राह वचो रुदन् ॥ २१ ॥
gadāyāṁ sannivṛttāyāṁ śālvas tv antaradhīyata tato muhūrta āgatya puruṣaḥ śirasācyutam devakyā prahito ’smīti natvā prāha vaco rudan
Namun sebaik sahaja Acyuta menarik kembali belantan-Nya, Śālva lenyap dari pandangan. Tidak lama kemudian seorang lelaki datang, menundukkan kepala kepada-Nya dan berkata sambil teresak, “Devakī mengutus aku,” lalu menyampaikan kata-kata berikut.
FAQs
This verse shows Śālva abruptly disappearing and a messenger appearing, indicating deceptive tactics and illusory maneuvers that occur even in battlefield episodes, highlighting the contrast between the Lord’s steadiness and an opponent’s māyā.
In the narrative, an apparent messenger approaches Kṛṣṇa claiming Devakī sent him, setting up an emotional, potentially deceptive message meant to disturb Kṛṣṇa—part of the unfolding encounter with Śālva’s stratagems.
Like Kṛṣṇa remaining composed amid abrupt reversals, a devotee can practice steadiness—pausing before reacting, remembering the Lord, and discerning truth carefully when emotions are being manipulated.