Shloka 6
Kṛṣṇasya asāṃnidhya-kāraṇaṃ — Śālva–Soubha-vṛttāntaḥ
Why Kṛṣṇa was absent; the Śālva and Saubha account
सोपशल्यप्रतोलीका साट्टाद्टालकगोपुरा । सचक्रग्रहणी चैव सोल्कालातावपोथिका,68 # ॥ किआसला 2 सड़कोंपर लोहेके विषाक्त काँटे अदृश्यरूपसे बिछाये गये थे। अट्टालिकाओं और गोपुरोंमें पर्याप्त अन्नका संग्रह किया गया था। शत्रुपक्षके प्रहारोंको रोकनेके लिये जगह- जगह मोर्चेबन्दी की गयी थी। शत्रुओंके चलाये हुए जलते गोले और अलात (प्रज्वलित लौहमय अस्त्र)-को भी विफल करके नीचे गिरा देनेवाली शक्तियाँ सुसज्जित थीं
sopaśalyapratoḷīkā sāṭṭāḍṭālakagopurā | sacakragrahaṇī caiva solkālātāvapothikā ||
Vāyu said: “It was fortified with defensive stakes and guarded gateways; it had lofty watchtowers and great gatehouses. It was also equipped with devices to seize and neutralize hostile missiles, and with countermeasures that could extinguish or bring down flaming projectiles and fire-bearing iron weapons—so that the enemy’s assaults would be checked at every point.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights prudent preparedness in the face of aggression: protection of people and order requires foresight, layered defenses, and the capacity to neutralize destructive force—an aspect of kṣatriya-dharma when exercised for safeguarding rather than cruelty.
Vāyu describes a strongly defended stronghold/city: its gates, towers, and gatehouses are reinforced, and specialized mechanisms are in place to intercept enemy missiles and to counter flaming projectiles and fire-bearing weapons.