Shloka 19
Kṛṣṇasya asāṃnidhya-kāraṇaṃ — Śālva–Soubha-vṛttāntaḥ
Why Kṛṣṇa was absent; the Śālva and Saubha account
नचामुद्रोडभिनिर्याति न चामुद्र: प्रवेश्यते । वृष्ण्यन्धक पुरे राजंस्तदा सौभसमागमे,राजन! सौभनिवासियोंके साथ युद्ध होते समय वृष्णि और अन्धकवंशी वीरोंके उस नगरमें कोई भी राजमुद्रा (पास)-के बिना न तो बाहर निकल सकता था और न बाहरसे नगरके भीतर ही आ सकता था
na cāmudroḍabhiniryāti na cāmudraḥ praveśyate | vṛṣṇyandhaka-pure rājan tadā saubha-samāgame ||
Vāyu said: “O King, at that time—when the encounter with the people of Saubha was underway—in the city of the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas, no one could go out without the royal seal-pass, and no one could enter from outside either. Thus, even amid war, order and controlled access were enforced to protect the community and prevent confusion, espionage, and harm.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in wartime, a ruler’s duty includes maintaining disciplined civic order—regulated entry and exit protects the populace, reduces panic, and prevents hostile infiltration.
Vāyu describes conditions during the conflict involving Saubha: in the Vṛṣṇi–Andhaka stronghold, movement was strictly controlled, and no one could leave or enter without an official royal seal-pass.