Shloka 18
Āraṇyaka-parva, Adhyāya 17 — Śālva’s encampment and the Yādava counter-engagement at Dvārakā
तस्य वर्म विभिवद्याशु स बाणो मत्सुतेरित: । विव्याध हृदयं पत्री स मुमोह पपात च,मेरे पुत्रके चलाये हुए उस बाणने शाल्वके कवचको छेदकर उसके हृदयको बींध डाला। इससे वह मूर्च्छित होकर गिर पड़ा
tasya varma vibhidya āśu sa bāṇo matsuta-īritaḥ | vivyādha hṛdayaṃ patrī sa mumohā papāta ca ||
A flecha, solta com rapidez por meu filho, atravessou a armadura e atingiu em cheio o coração. Ferido assim, ele perdeu os sentidos e tombou ao chão—mostrando como, na batalha, perícia e destino podem derrubar num instante até o guerreiro mais bem protegido.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even strong external protections (like armour) can fail when confronted by decisive action and circumstance; the episode underscores the fragility of embodied life in war and the swift, irreversible consequences of violence.
Vāyudeva describes how an arrow shot by his son breaks through Śālva’s armour, pierces his heart, and causes Śālva to faint and collapse.