Shloka 19
Kṛṣṇasya asāṃnidhya-kāraṇaṃ — Śālva–Soubha-vṛttāntaḥ
Why Kṛṣṇa was absent; the Śālva and Saubha account
नचामुद्रोडभिनिर्याति न चामुद्र: प्रवेश्यते । वृष्ण्यन्धक पुरे राजंस्तदा सौभसमागमे,राजन! सौभनिवासियोंके साथ युद्ध होते समय वृष्णि और अन्धकवंशी वीरोंके उस नगरमें कोई भी राजमुद्रा (पास)-के बिना न तो बाहर निकल सकता था और न बाहरसे नगरके भीतर ही आ सकता था
na cāmudroḍabhiniryāti na cāmudraḥ praveśyate | vṛṣṇyandhaka-pure rājan tadā saubha-samāgame ||
Wika ni Vāyu: “O Hari, noong panahong iyon—nang nagaganap ang sagupaan laban sa mga taga-Saubha—sa lungsod ng mga Vṛṣṇi at Andhaka, walang sinuman ang makalalabas nang walang tatak-selyo ng hari bilang pahintulot, at wala ring makapapasok mula sa labas. Kaya, kahit sa gitna ng digmaan, ipinatupad ang kaayusan at mahigpit na pagbabantay sa pagpasok at paglabas upang ingatan ang pamayanan at hadlangan ang kaguluhan, paniniktik, at kapahamakan.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in wartime, a ruler’s duty includes maintaining disciplined civic order—regulated entry and exit protects the populace, reduces panic, and prevents hostile infiltration.
Vāyu describes conditions during the conflict involving Saubha: in the Vṛṣṇi–Andhaka stronghold, movement was strictly controlled, and no one could leave or enter without an official royal seal-pass.