Shloka 36
The Slaying of Śālva and the Destruction of Saubha
जहार तेनैव शिर: सकुण्डलं किरीटयुक्तं पुरुमायिनो हरि: । वज्रेण वृत्रस्य यथा पुरन्दरो बभूव हाहेति वचस्तदा नृणाम् ॥ ३६ ॥
jahāra tenaiva śiraḥ sa-kuṇḍalaṁ kirīṭa-yuktaṁ puru-māyino hariḥ vajreṇa vṛtrasya yathā purandaro babhūva hāheti vacas tadā nṛṇām
Com o mesmo disco, Hari decepou a cabeça do grande mágico, com brincos e coroa, assim como Purandara cortara a de Vṛtra com o seu raio. Ao verem isso, os seguidores de Śālva clamaram: “Ai! ai!”
FAQs
This verse shows that even a “master of many illusions” like Śālva is effortlessly overcome by Lord Hari, indicating that māyā cannot stand before the Supreme Lord’s power.
The text uses a famous Vedic parallel—Indra’s thunderbolt killing Vṛtra—to highlight the decisiveness and heroism of Kṛṣṇa’s act in removing a great threat.
When confusion, deceit, or fear feels overpowering, this verse encourages devotees to take shelter of Kṛṣṇa, trusting that divine truth cuts through even the strongest illusions.