The Slaying of Śālva and the Destruction of Saubha
यत्त्वया मूढ न: सख्युर्भ्रातुर्भार्या हृतेक्षताम् । प्रमत्त: स सभामध्ये त्वया व्यापादित: सखा ॥ १७ ॥ तं त्वाद्य निशितैर्बाणैरपराजितमानिनम् । नयाम्यपुनरावृत्तिं यदि तिष्ठेर्ममाग्रत: ॥ १८ ॥
yat tvayā mūḍha naḥ sakhyur bhrātur bhāryā hṛtekṣatām pramattaḥ sa sabhā-madhye tvayā vyāpāditaḥ sakhā
[沙尔瓦说:] 你这个傻瓜!当着我们的面,你抢走了我们朋友希舒帕拉(Śiśupāla)的新娘,也就是你自己的表亲,后来又在神圣的集会上趁他不备杀了他,今天我要用锋利的箭把你送到不归路!虽然你自以为无敌,但如果你敢站在我面前,我现在就杀了你。
Śālva taunts Kṛṣṇa by accusing Him of killing Pradyumna—described as the beloved of Kṛṣṇa’s brother’s wife (Rukmiṇī)—while he was off-guard in an assembly.
Śālva uses deception and harsh words to shake Kṛṣṇa emotionally during battle, trying to weaken His resolve by presenting a false narrative of Pradyumna’s death.
It highlights how opponents may weaponize false accusations and emotionally charged claims; a devotee learns steadiness, discernment, and refusal to be driven by provocation.