Shloka 51
Samrāt-Lakṣaṇa and the Counsel to Check Jarāsandha (सम्राट्-लक्षणं जरासन्ध-प्रतिबाधा-परामर्शः)
तथैव दुर्गसंस्कारं देवैरपि दुरासदम् । स्त्रियोडपि यस्यां युध्येयु: किमु वृष्णिमहारथा:
tathaiva durgasaṃskāraṃ devair api durāsadam | striyo 'pi yasyāṃ yudhyeyuḥ kimu vṛṣṇimahārathāḥ ||
In the same way, I had the fortress at Kuśasthalī strengthened and refitted so thoroughly that even the gods would find it hard to storm. Now, from within that stronghold, even women could fight effectively—so what need is there to speak of the great chariot-warriors of the Vṛṣṇi clan?
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores prudent preparedness and deterrence: strengthening defenses makes even unlikely defenders effective, and therefore trained heroes become overwhelmingly capable. Ethically, it reflects a kṣatriya ideal of safeguarding one’s people through foresight and strategic security.
Kṛṣṇa speaks about having Kuśasthalī fortified so strongly that it would be difficult even for divine forces to breach. He uses this to emphasize the formidable security of the stronghold and, by extension, the fighting capacity of the Vṛṣṇi warriors who would defend it.