Shloka 22
Āraṇyaka-parva, Adhyāya 17 — Śālva’s encampment and the Yādava counter-engagement at Dvārakā
तैः स विद्धों महाबाहु: प्रद्युम्न: समरे स्थित: । जन्रुदेशे भृशं वीरो व्यवासीदद् रथे तदा,शाल्वके उन बाणोंद्वारा कण्ठके मूलभागमें गहरा आघात लगनेसे अत्यन्त घायल होकर समरमें स्थित महाबाहु वीर प्रद्युम्म उस समय रथपर मूर्च्छित हो गये
taiḥ sa viddho mahābāhuḥ pradyumnaḥ samare sthitaḥ | grīvādeśe bhṛśaṁ vīro vyavāsīd rathē tadā ||
Atingido por aquelas flechas, Pradyumna, de braços poderosos, embora ainda no meio da refrega, foi gravemente ferido na região do pescoço. Dominado pelo golpe, o herói tombou sem sentidos sobre o seu carro—imagem de como até o maior valor pode ser contido pela força áspera e impessoal da guerra.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the vulnerability of even the greatest warriors: courage and duty may keep one in the fight, yet the realities of violence and bodily limitation can abruptly overturn strength. It invites reflection on the ethical cost of war and the impermanence of worldly power.
Pradyumna is pierced by arrows and suffers a severe wound at the neck. Though he had remained in battle, the injury overwhelms him and he collapses unconscious on his chariot.