03.016
Pancharatra: Krishna describes the war preparations that were made at Dwaraka to defend against Soubha.
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
O Vasudeva, mighty-armed and wise, please describe in detail the destruction of Saubha; for truly, I am not yet satisfied by your narration. (3-16-1)
Vāsudeva said.
O mighty-armed one, having heard that I had slain Śrautaśrava, the king, Śālva, O best of the Bharatas, went to the city of Dvāravatī. (3-16-2)
O descendant of Pāṇḍu, the very evil-souled Śālva, unable to endure her, arranged that aerial city and stood there from all sides. (3-16-3)
Then, being present there, the king ordered an attack on that city; with a full assault, a battle took place there. (3-16-4)
The city was arranged on all sides, adorned with banners and arches, equipped with wheels, raised platforms, and also mechanical pits. (3-16-5)
There were couches, gateways, upper rooms, gateways, window-grilles, and also sun-shades and awnings. (3-16-6)
O best of the Bharatas, O king, there were yokes, sabherī and paṇava drums, samit, darbha and kuśa grass, as well as śataghni weapons and ploughs. (3-16-7)
They were equipped with trunks, stone maces, weapons, battle-axes, iron armor, and also fire, as well as horns and humps. (3-16-8)
O best of the Bharatas, joined according to the rule seen in the śāstra, with many and various substances, and with medicines and other things to be known. (3-16-9)
O tiger among the Kurus, in battle, you are opposed by capable men from renowned families, by heroes of proven valor. (3-16-10)
The formation called Sāra was protected in the center by battalions, as well as by elevated battalions, horses, and foot soldiers. (3-16-11)
It was proclaimed in the city that wine must not be consumed; this was enforced by the protectors such as Ugrasena, Uddhava, and others, to prevent negligence. (3-16-12)
Śālva, the king, would indeed attack when they were negligent; thus, having considered this, all the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas remained vigilant. (3-16-13)
The people of Anarta, as well as all actors, dancers, and singers, were banished outside; all accumulations of wealth were guarded. (3-16-14)
All the bridges have been broken, all the boats prevented, and the moats, O descendant of Kuru, have also been made well-secured with stakes. (3-16-15)
O best of the Kurus, wells and pools have likewise been constructed all around, each of the measure of a krośa, and the ground has been made uneven. (3-16-16)
O sinless one, by its very nature the fort is uneven, well-protected, and especially equipped with weapons at that time.
O best of the Bharatas, that city was well-protected, well-guarded, and equipped with all kinds of weapons, just like Indra's palace. (3-16-18)
No one who is not of the Mudra clan goes out, nor is anyone not of the Mudra clan admitted; O king, this was so in the city of the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas at the time of the coming of Saubha. (3-16-19)
O Kaurava, O king, the army, possessing many elephants and horses, filled all the streets and squares. (3-16-20)
O mighty-armed one, at that time the army, having been given wages, food, weapons, equipment, and rewards, was ready. (3-16-21)
There is no one whose wages are withheld out of anger, nor anyone whose wages are overdue. There is no one who receives wages as a favor, nor anyone whose valor has not been witnessed. (3-16-22)
O lotus-eyed one, thus Dvaraka, O king, was well-established with abundant gifts, and was well-protected by Ahuka and the king. (3-16-23)
