Shloka 19
निर्वेदोपदेशः (Nirveda-Upadeśa) — Maṅki’s Dispassion and the Limits of Wealth-Seeking
ततो मेरुव्रजं नाम नगरं शैलतोरणम् | शैलप्राकारवप्रं च शैलयन्त्राकुलं तथा
tato meruvrajaṃ nāma nagaraṃ śailatoraṇam | śailaprākāravapraṃ ca śailayantrākulaṃ tathā ||
फिर वह चलते-चलते मेरुव्रज नामक नगर में जा पहुँचा, जिसका तोरण-द्वार पर्वत-शिला के समान था। वह नगर शैल-प्राकार और ऊँचे वप्रों से घिरा था तथा चारों ओर शिला-निर्मित यन्त्रों से सुसज्जित था।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
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.
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.