Shloka 19

निर्वेदोपदेशः (Nirveda-Upadeśa) — Maṅki’s Dispassion and the Limits of Wealth-Seeking

Devanagari script

ततो मेरुव्रजं नाम नगरं शैलतोरणम्‌ | शैलप्राकारवप्रं च शैलयन्त्राकुलं तथा

Transliteration

tato meruvrajaṃ nāma nagaraṃ śailatoraṇam | śailaprākāravapraṃ ca śailayantrākulaṃ tathā ||

Translation

Puis il atteignit une cité nommée Meruvraja, dont la porte même était de pierre, telle une montagne. Elle était ceinte de remparts rocheux et de levées de terre, et hérissée d’engins défensifs bâtis en pierre.

Word by Word

• ततः: then, thereafter
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः

• मेरुव्रजम्: the city named Meruvraja
• मेरुव्रजम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: मेरुव्रज
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• नाम: by name, called
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नाम

• नगरम्: city
• नगरम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: नगर
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• शैलतोरणम्: having a rock/mountain as its gateway (arch)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शैलतोरण
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• शैलप्राकारवप्रम्: with rocky ramparts and embankments
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शैलप्राकारवप्र
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• शैलयन्त्राकुलम्: crowded/filled with stone engines (siege-devices)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शैलयन्त्राकुल
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• तथा: likewise, also
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma
• Meruvraja (city)
• stone/mountain gateway (śailatoraṇa)
• ramparts and embankments (prākāra, vapra)
• defensive engines/devices (yantra)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the importance of protection and preparedness in a polity: a well-guarded city symbolizes prudent governance, where security measures are thoughtfully established to preserve order and welfare.

What is happening in the narrative?

The speaker describes arriving at a city named Meruvraja and emphasizes its formidable defenses—stone-like gates, rocky walls and embankments, and numerous defensive mechanisms—painting a vivid picture of an impregnable stronghold.