Shloka 18
Kṛṣṇasya asāṃnidhya-kāraṇaṃ — Śālva–Soubha-vṛttāntaḥ
Why Kṛṣṇa was absent; the Śālva and Saubha account
सुरक्षितं सुगुप्तं च सर्वायुधसमन्वितम् । तत् पुरं भरतश्रेष्ठ यथेन्द्रभवनं तथा,भरतश्रेष्ठ! द्वारकानगर इन्द्रभवनकी भाँति ही सुरक्षित, सुगुप्त और सम्पूर्ण आयुधोंसे भरा-पूरा है
surakṣitaṃ suguptaṃ ca sarvāyudha-samanvitam | tat puraṃ bharataśreṣṭha yathendra-bhavanaṃ tathā ||
Vāyu-deva said: “O best of the Bharatas, that city is well-protected and securely guarded, fully furnished with every kind of weapon. It stands like Indra’s own celestial palace—impregnable, orderly, and prepared against any threat.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a ruler’s duty to ensure robust protection and readiness: a well-governed city is secure, vigilant, and properly equipped, reflecting responsible kingship and the ethical obligation to safeguard subjects.
Vāyu-deva describes a particular city to a Bharata hero, emphasizing its formidable defenses and abundant armaments, and elevates its stature by comparing it to Indra’s heavenly palace.