Shloka 19

निर्वेदोपदेशः (Nirveda-Upadeśa) — Maṅki’s Dispassion and the Limits of Wealth-Seeking

Devanagari script

ततो मेरुव्रजं नाम नगरं शैलतोरणम्‌ | शैलप्राकारवप्रं च शैलयन्त्राकुलं तथा

Transliteration

tato meruvrajaṃ nāma nagaraṃ śailatoraṇam | śailaprākāravapraṃ ca śailayantrākulaṃ tathā ||

Translation

তারপর সে মেরুব্রজ নামে এক নগরে পৌঁছাল, যার প্রবেশদ্বারই ছিল পর্বতসম শিলার তোড়ণ। নগরটি শিলাময় প্রাকার ও উঁচু বাঁধে পরিবেষ্টিত ছিল, আর সর্বত্র শিলানির্মিত রক্ষাযন্ত্রে পরিপূর্ণ ছিল।

Word by Word

• ततः: then, thereafter
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः

• मेरुव्रजम्: the city named Meruvraja
• मेरुव्रजम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: मेरुव्रज
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• नाम: by name, called
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नाम

• नगरम्: city
• नगरम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: नगर
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• शैलतोरणम्: having a rock/mountain as its gateway (arch)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शैलतोरण
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• शैलप्राकारवप्रम्: with rocky ramparts and embankments
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शैलप्राकारवप्र
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• शैलयन्त्राकुलम्: crowded/filled with stone engines (siege-devices)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शैलयन्त्राकुल
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• तथा: likewise, also
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma
• Meruvraja (city)
• stone/mountain gateway (śailatoraṇa)
• ramparts and embankments (prākāra, vapra)
• defensive engines/devices (yantra)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the importance of protection and preparedness in a polity: a well-guarded city symbolizes prudent governance, where security measures are thoughtfully established to preserve order and welfare.

What is happening in the narrative?

The speaker describes arriving at a city named Meruvraja and emphasizes its formidable defenses—stone-like gates, rocky walls and embankments, and numerous defensive mechanisms—painting a vivid picture of an impregnable stronghold.