Adhyāya 22: Śālva’s Weapon-Shower, Dāruka’s Wounding, and the Māyā-Report of Vasudeva’s Father
ततोअस्त्रं शब्दसाहं वै त्वरमाणो महारणे । अयोजयं तद्गभधाय तत: शब्द उपारमत्,तब मैंने उनके वधके लिये उस महान् संग्राममें बड़ी उतावलीके साथ शब्दवेधी बाणका संधान किया। यह देख उनका कोलाहल शान्त हो गया
tato 'straṃ śabdasāhaṃ vai tvaramāṇo mahāraṇe | ayojayaṃ tad garbhadhāya tataḥ śabda upāramat ||
Rồi trong trận đại chiến ấy, nóng lòng khiến chúng diệt vong, ta lập tức giương và phóng “mũi tên truy âm” (śabda-vedhī). Vừa khi nó bám trúng mục tiêu, tiếng huyên náo của chúng liền lắng xuống, và im lặng phủ trùm.
वायुदेव उवाच
The verse highlights the idea that disorder and harmful clamor can be ended by decisive, well-aimed action. Ethically, it suggests that force—when used—should be purposeful and precise rather than indiscriminate, aiming to restore order and end harm.
Vāyudeva describes how, amid a major battle, he quickly employed a sound-tracking missile intended to kill the opponents. Once the weapon was set upon its target, the enemies’ loud uproar immediately died down.