Shloka 3
Karṇa–Sūrya Saṃvāda: Satya, Dāna, and the Amoghā Śakti (कर्ण–सूर्यसंवादः)
अगाधतोया: परिखा मीननक्रसमाकुला: । बभूवु: सप्त दुर्धर्षा: खादिरै: शड्कुभिश्चिता:,नगरके चारों ओर सात गहरी खाइयाँ थीं, जिनमें अगाध जल भरा रहता था और उनमें मत्स्य-मगर आदि जल-जन्तु निवास करते थे। इन खाइयोंमें सब ओर खैरके खूँटे गड़े हुए थे
agādhatoyāḥ parikhā mīnanakrasamākulāḥ | babhūvuḥ sapta durdharṣāḥ khādiraiḥ śaṅkubhiś citāḥ ||
Mārkaṇḍeya said: Around the city there came to be seven deep, unassailable moats, filled with unfathomable water and teeming with fish and crocodiles. They were further fortified on all sides with stakes of khadira-wood, making approach and assault exceedingly difficult.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights prudent governance and the duty of protection: a well-ruled realm anticipates danger and establishes layered defenses, minimizing harm by deterrence rather than reckless confrontation.
Mārkaṇḍeya describes the city’s defenses: seven deep water-filled moats inhabited by dangerous aquatic creatures, additionally reinforced with khadira-wood stakes, presenting a formidable barrier to attackers.