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 disse: “Ela estava fortificada com estacas defensivas e portões guardados; tinha altas torres de vigia e grandes casas de porta. Estava também equipada com dispositivos para capturar e neutralizar projéteis inimigos, e com contramedidas capazes de extinguir ou derrubar projéteis em chamas e armas de ferro portadoras de fogo—de modo que os assaltos do inimigo fossem contidos em cada ponto.”
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.