Rukmī’s Offer of Aid and Arjuna’s Refusal (रुक्मिप्रस्तावः—अर्जुनप्रत्याख्यानम्)
परिक्रम्य कुरुक्षेत्र कर्णेन सह कौरव: । शिबिरं मापयामास समे देशे जनाधिप,जनमेजय! कर्णके साथ कुरक्षेत्रमें जाकर दुर्योधनने एक समतल प्रदेशमें शिविरके लिये भूमिको नपवाया
parikramya kurukṣetraṁ karṇena saha kauravaḥ | śibiraṁ māpayāmāsa same deśe janādhipa janamejaya ||
বৈশম্পায়নে ক’লে— হে জনমেজয়! কৰ্ণৰ সৈতে কুৰুক্ষেত্ৰ পৰিক্ৰমা কৰি কৌৰৱ (দুৰ্যোধন) এ সমতল ঠাইত শিবিৰ স্থাপনৰ বাবে ভূমি মাপিবলৈ আদেশ দিলে।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Even orderly, competent planning can serve an unrighteous end. The verse highlights how logistical prudence and royal authority, when aligned with obstinacy and injustice, become instruments that hasten conflict rather than prevent it.
Duryodhana, accompanied by Karṇa, surveys/circumambulates Kurukṣetra and then orders a level site to be measured out to set up the Kaurava camp, marking a decisive step toward the coming war.