Shloka 33
Gaṅgādvāra-tīrtha, Ulūpī-saṃvāda, and Arjuna’s Dharma-Deliberation (गङ्गाद्वार-तीर्थम्, उलूपी-संवादः)
विविधैरपि निर्विद्धिः शस्त्रोपेतै: सुसंवृतैः: । शक्तिभिश्षावृतं तद्धि द्विजिद्वैरिव पन्नगै:,नाना प्रकारके अभेद्य तथा सब ओरसे घिरे हुए शस्त्रागारोंमें शस्त्र संग्रह करके रखे गये थे। नगरके चारों ओर हाथसे चलायी जानेवाली लोहेकी शक्तियाँ तैयार करके रखी गयी थीं, जो दो जीभोंवाले साँपोंके समान जान पड़ती थीं। इन सबके द्वारा उस नगरकी सुरक्षा की गयी थी
vividhair api nirviddhiḥ śastropetaiḥ susaṃvṛtaiḥ | śaktibhiḥ śāvṛtaṃ taddhi dvijidvair iva pannagaiḥ ||
Wika ni Vāyu: “Alamin ninyo na ito’y pinatatag sa maraming paraan—mahigpit na nakapaloob at sagana sa mga sandata. Ang kuta ay pinalilibutan ng mga sibat na bakal at mga sandatang panghagis, na wari’y mga ahas na may dalawang dila; sa gayong paghahanda, matibay na napangangalagaan ang lungsod.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores prudent preparedness: protection of a city or polity is sustained by layered defenses and disciplined readiness, not by complacency. Ethically, it reflects the kṣatriya duty of safeguarding people through foresight and proper organization.
Vāyu describes a fortified settlement/stronghold as being thoroughly secured—its armories well stocked and its perimeter surrounded with ready weapons (śakti-javelins), compared to two-tongued serpents encircling it—emphasizing the intensity of its defensive arrangements.