*SKANDHA X. CHAP. 76-77.*
When Krishna carried away Rukmini, he defeated the kings in battle and,
amongst others, he defeated Salva, king of Soubha, the friend of
Sisupala. Salva vowed at the time to kill all Yadavas. He ate only a
handful of dust and worshipped Siva. After a year Siva became pleased
with his worship and asked the king to name a boon. He prayed for an
invulnerable chariot that would carry terror to the Yadavas. At the
bidding of Siva, Maya prepared an iron chariot, called Soubha, which
could move at will to any place. Mounted on this chariot, Salva attacked
Dvaraka, with his large army. He threw weapons, stones, trees and
serpents from above and demolished walls and gardens. The people of
Dvaraka became very much oppressed. Pradyumna and other Yadavas engaged
in fight with Salva and his army. Salva's chariot was sometimes visible
and sometimes not. It now rose high and now came low. With difficulty,
Pradyumna killed Dyumat, the general of Salva. But still the fight went
on for seven days and seven nights. Krishna had been at Hastinapura. He
felt misgivings and hurried to Dvaraka with Rama. The fight was then
going on. Krishna placed Rama in charge of the town and himself went to
fight with Salva. Salva tauntingly addressed Krishna who gave the king a
heavy blow with his club. Salva disappeared. Instantly a man came and
informed Krishna that he was a messenger from Devaki. Salva had carried
away his father Vasudeva.
Krishna asked: -- "How could Salva conquer Rama so as to carry away my
father?" But he had scarcely finished when Salva appeared with somebody
like Vasudeva, saying "O fool, here is your father. I will kill him in
your presence. Save him, if you can." He then cut off the head of
Vasudeva, and entered the chariot. Krishna found this was all the Maya
of Salva and in reality his father was neither carried off nor killed.
He broke the chariot Soubha with his club. Salva left the chariot and
stood upon earth, club in hand. Krishna cut off his hands and then cut
off his head with the Chakra.