Śālva’s army was overwhelmed in battle, their ranks afflicted by arrows that blazed like fire and the sun, as deadly as venomous serpents. These missiles bewildered them, driving confusion and fear into their hearts. Yet, though torrents of weapons poured from Śālva’s forces, the heroic Vṛṣṇis stood firm. Not one among them abandoned the field; each warrior was resolute, intent on conquering both worlds and upholding their valor. Among Śālva’s ministers was Dyumān, who had previously overpowered Pradyumna. Approaching with a heavy mace, Dyumān struck Pradyumna and roared mightily, his challenge echoing across the battlefield. Pradyumna, the subduer of enemies, was grievously wounded—his chest shattered by the blow. Seeing his master fallen, the charioteer, the righteous son of Dāruka, swiftly carried Pradyumna away from the fighting. After a brief moment, Pradyumna regained consciousness and addressed his charioteer with anguish: “Ah, how improper it is, O charioteer, that you have withdrawn me from the battle!” He lamented, “Never has it been heard that one born in the Yadu dynasty has left the battlefield—except for a charioteer whose mind is unmanly and who has incurred sin. What shall I say when I approach my fathers, Rāma and Keśava, having retreated from battle? When questioned there, what answer will be fitting for me? Surely, my brothers’ wives will laugh and say, ‘How, how did your cowardice, O hero, become known to others in battle?’” The charioteer replied gently: “O lord, knowing righteousness, I did this. A charioteer should protect a warrior in distress, and a warrior his charioteer. Knowing this, my lord, I withdrew you from the battle, for you were attacked by the enemy and had fallen unconscious, struck by the mace.” Thus concluded the seventy-sixth chapter, “The Battle with Śālva,” in the sacred Bhāgavata Purāṇa. The story continued. Śrī Śuka said: Purified by touching water and with his bow in hand, Pradyumna spoke to his charioteer: “Take me to the side of Dyumān, the hero.” Rukmiṇī’s son, smiling, struck down Dyumān—who was attacking his own troops—with eight iron arrows. With four arrows, he struck Dyumān’s horses; with one, the charioteer; with two, the bow and the banner; and with another, Dyumān’s head. Meanwhile, Gada, Sātyaki, Sāmba, and others slew the forces of the lord of Saubha. The warriors of Saubha, their necks severed, fell into the sea. The battle between the Yadus and Śālvas raged fiercely and tumultuously, lasting twenty-seven days and nights. During this time, Krishna, having been invited by the son of Dharma, went to Indraprastha. After the completion of the Rājasūya sacrifice and the slaying of Shishupala, Krishna took leave of the elders of the Kuru dynasty, the sages, and Pritha with her sons. He witnessed exceedingly terrible omens and then returned to Dvaraka. He announced, “I have come here, joined by noble friends; the kings allied with the Chedi are surely about to attack my city.” Observing the slaughter of his own people and arranging for the city’s defense, Keshava spoke to Daruka about Saubha and King Śālva: “Charioteer, bring my chariot quickly to Śālva’s presence; do not be alarmed, for this king of Saubha is a master of illusion.” Daruka mounted the chariot and drove forth; all, both friend and foe, saw Arjuna’s younger brother entering the fray. Śālva, whose forces were nearly destroyed, saw Krishna and hurled a spear with a terrible roar at Krishna’s charioteer. The weapon blazed through the sky like a great meteor, illuminating the quarters, but Shauri’s arrows shattered it into a hundred pieces. Krishna then pierced Śālva with sixteen arrows and struck Saubha as it moved in the sky, showering the aerial city with arrows as the sun bathes the earth with its rays. Śālva retaliated, striking the left arm of Shauri—the wielder of Sharnga—and broke the Sharnga bow from Krishna’s hand. All who witnessed this marveled, and a great outcry arose among the assembled beings. Śālva, roaring loudly, addressed Janardana: “Fool, because of you, our friend—my brother-in-law—was slain in the assembly, his wife abducted, while you acted recklessly. Today, with sharp arrows, I will send you—who think yourself invincible—on a path of no return, if you dare stand before me.” The Blessed Lord replied, “In vain you boast, dull-witted one; you do not see Death standing near. True heroes show their valor in deeds, not in many words.” With these words, the Lord struck Śālva on the chest with his terrible mace. Śālva trembled and vomited blood, but when the mace was repelled, Śālva vanished from sight. Suddenly, a man approached Achyuta, bowed, and, weeping, spoke: “I am sent by Devaki. Krishna, Krishna, mighty-armed one, your father, who loves you dearly, has been bound and carried away by Śālva and his men, like a beast.” Hearing this grievous news, Krishna, overcome by affection, assumed a human disposition—he became dejected and compassionate, speaking as an ordinary man would: “How could my father, mighty and unconcerned Rama—who was unconquered by gods and demons—be carried away by Śālva, a mere lesser man? Such is the power of fate.” As Govinda spoke thus, the lord of Saubha appeared, and, bringing Krishna as Vasudeva had been brought, he spoke: “Here is your father, the one for whom you live in this world. I will kill him before your eyes. If you are the Lord, protect him, O foolish one.” Rebuking Krishna, the deceiver drew his sword, seized Anakadundubhi’s head, and, taking it, entered the Saubha fortress in the sky. For a moment, Krishna, the great-souled one, was overcome by natural affection, surrounded by his own people. But soon, he realized this was a demonic illusion conjured by Śālva at Maya’s instruction. Awakened on the battlefield, Achyuta saw neither the messenger nor his father’s body. Like a man waking from a dream, he beheld his enemy in the sky, stationed on Saubha, ready to strike.