Shloka 20
Kṛṣṇasya asāṃnidhya-kāraṇaṃ — Śālva–Soubha-vṛttāntaḥ
Why Kṛṣṇa was absent; the Śālva and Saubha account
अनुरथ्यासु सर्वासु चत्वरेषु च कौरव । बल॑ बभूव राजेन्द्र प्रभूतगजवाजिमत्,कुरुनन्दन राजेन्द्र! वहाँ प्रत्येक सड़क और चौराहेपर बहुत-से हाथीसवार और घुड़सवारोंसे युक्त विशाल सेना उपस्थित रहती थी
anurathyāsu sarvāsu catvareṣu ca kaurava | balaṃ babhūva rājendra prabhūta-gaja-vāji-mat ||
Vāyu said: “O Kaurava, O best of kings—at every carriage-road and at the crossroads there stood a vast force, richly supplied with elephants and horses.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how royal power manifests outwardly—through troops stationed in public spaces. Ethically, it invites reflection on the difference between mere display of force and righteous governance: strength can secure order, but it can also signal intimidation if not guided by dharma.
Vāyu describes a city/realm where, on every main street and at every junction, a large contingent of soldiers—especially elephant- and horse-units—stands deployed, emphasizing the scale of military presence and preparedness.