Kṛṣṇa Defeats Bāṇāsura and Receives Śiva’s Prayers
The Śoṇitapura Battle and the Jvara Episode
धनूंष्याकृष्य युगपद् बाण: पञ्चशतानि वै । एकैकस्मिन् शरौ द्वौ द्वौ सन्दधे रणदुर्मद: ॥ १८ ॥
dhanūṁṣy ākṛṣya yugapad bāṇaḥ pañca-śatāni vai ekaikasmin śarau dvau dvau sandadhe raṇa-durmadaḥ
战意狂炽的班那同时拉满五百张弓弦,并在每一弓上各搭两箭。
This verse portrays Bāṇāsura as overwhelmed by battle-pride, highlighting how martial prowess and arrogance can inflate the ego just before divine power checks it.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī narrates these events to King Parīkṣit as part of the account of Kṛṣṇa’s battle with Bāṇāsura.
Extraordinary ability and resources can breed overconfidence; this verse reminds a seeker to pair strength with humility and dependence on the Supreme rather than ego.