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,चलते-चलते वह मेरुवब्रज नामक नगरमें जा पहुँचा, जिसके चारों ओर पर्वतोंके टीले और पर्वतोंकी ही चहारदीवारी थी। उसका सदर फाटक भी एक पर्वत ही था। नगरकी रक्षाके लिये सब ओर शिलाकी बड़ी-बड़ी चट्टानें और मशीनें थीं

Transliteration

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

Translation

Kemudian dia sampai ke sebuah kota bernama Meruvraja, yang pintu gerbangnya sendiri daripada batu laksana gunung. Kota itu dikelilingi benteng batu dan tambakan tanah, serta dipenuhi pelbagai alat pertahanan yang dibina daripada batu.

Word by Word

ततःthen, thereafter

मेरुव्रजम्the city named Meruvraja

नामby name, called

नगरम्city

शैलतोरणम्having a rock/mountain as its gateway (arch)

शैलप्राकारवप्रम्with rocky ramparts and embankments

चand

शैलयन्त्राकुलम्crowded/filled with stone engines (siege-devices)

तथाlikewise, also

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

Bhishma

Meruvraja (city)

stone/mountain gateway (śailatoraṇa)

ramparts and embankments (prākāra, vapra)

defensive engines/devices (yantra)

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

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.