Shloka 2
Āraṇyaka-parva, Adhyāya 17 — Śālva’s encampment and the Yādava counter-engagement at Dvārakā
उच्छ़ित्य मकर केतु व्यात्ताननमिवान्तकम् । उत्पतद्धिरिवाकाशं तैहयैरन्वयात् परान्
ucchitya makara-ketu vyāttānanam ivāntakam | utpataddhir ivākāśaṃ taiḥ hayair anvayāt parān ||
เขาชูธงชัยมีเครื่องหมายมกรขึ้นสูง อ้าปากกว้างดุจมัจจุราช แล้วไล่ตามผู้อื่นด้วยม้าเหล่านั้น ราวกับกระโจนขึ้นสู่เวหา
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses a vivid simile—likening the pursuer to Death—to convey how overwhelming force and relentless pursuit can inspire fear and compel retreat; ethically, it highlights the narrative theme that power, when displayed as terror, can dominate opponents even before physical defeat.
Vāyu describes a warrior (implicitly the pursuer) charging after others: his chariot-flag bears a makara emblem, his mouth is described as gaping like Antaka (Death), and with his horses surging forward he follows the others as if vaulting into the sky.