Shloka 23
Śālva–Pradyumna Yuddha: Sārathya-kauśala, Astra-pratikāra, Daiva-niyati
Chapter 20
ते हयांश्व॒ रथं चैव तदा दारुकमेव च | छादयामासुरसुरास्तैर्बाणैर्मर्म भेदिभि:,उस समय उन असुरोंने अपने मर्मवेधी बाणोंद्वारा मेरे घोड़ोंको, रथको और दारुकको भी ढक दिया
te hayāṁś ca rathaṁ caiva tadā dārukam eva ca | chādayāmāsur asurās tair bāṇair marma-bhedibhiḥ ||
Bấy giờ bọn A-tu-la dùng những mũi tên xuyên thấu các huyệt mệnh (marma) bắn dồn dập như mưa, đến nỗi ngựa của ta, chiến xa của ta, và cả Dāruka cũng bị phủ kín hoàn toàn.
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh reality of combat where opponents may strike at vital points; ethically, it frames a test of steadiness and disciplined response under extreme provocation, a key aspect of kṣatriya conduct and self-mastery.
Vāsudeva narrates that the Asuras unleash a dense volley of marma-piercing arrows, covering his horses, his chariot, and his charioteer Dāruka—depicting an intense moment of battlefield pressure.