Dvaraka Prepares Defenses Against Shalva's Siege

When Shalva heard that King Shroutashrava had been killed by Krishna, he marched on Dvaravati. He did not attack from the ground. The evil-minded Shalva laid siege to the city from every side, arranged his battle formations, and stationed himself in the air. From there he fought with the city — attacking from everywhere at once. The battle began. Dvaraka was ready. Everywhere — flags, gates, troops, fences, machines, miners, barricaded streets, turrets, towers, hair-graspers (grappling hooks), catapults that hurled flaming missiles, water vessels for extinguishing fires, kettledrums, musical instruments, army drums, kindling, straw, grass, shataghnis (iron clubs studded with spikes), ploughs, bhushundis (a type of weapon), rocks, clubs, weapons, battleaxes, iron shields, and machines that hurled fire and iron. Everything was in accordance with what the sacred texts laid down for a city under siege. The stockpile was guarded by Gada, Samba, Uddhava, and others like them — men capable of repulsing attacks. Warriors from famous lineages stood ready, their valour already witnessed in battle. The middle and upper parts of the fortifications were protected well, and the upper parts had cavalry and infantry stationed on them. Ugrasena and Uddhava announced through the city: no one should drink. There could be no carelessness in protection. Every Vrishni and Andhaka knew they would be killed by King Shalva if they were found intoxicated. They remained sober. The guards entrusted with the treasuries of Anarta swiftly drove out all the actors, dancers, and singers. The bridges were destroyed. All boats were forbidden to ply. The moats were fortified with spikes. Because of the impending war, the reservoirs were destroyed. For a krosha (about two miles) on every side, the ground was made uneven — impossible for an advancing army to cross quickly. The fortress itself was naturally difficult to access. Nature had equipped it with special types of weapons. It was protected well. At the time when Soubha advanced, the city of the Vrishnis and Andhakas was such that nothing could come out or go in without a seal. Everywhere, along the roads and the open spaces where the roads met, there were forces and many elephants and horses. The soldiers had been paid wages and rations. They had been given weapons and armour. Nothing was pending. No one was given too little pay. No one was paid in excess. No one was shown preference. There was no one whose valour had not been tested. Thus Dvaraka was prepared well. The soldiers had been paid a lot. It was defended by King Ahuka.