Shloka 216
गदायुद्ध-समारम्भः
Commencement of the Mace-Duel Proceedings
देवर्षि पर्यपृच्छत् स यथा वृत्तं कुरून् प्रति । वे उस स्थानपर गये, जहाँ तेजस्वी बलराम बैठे हुए थे। उन्होंने उठकर नियम और व्रतका पालन करनेवाले देवर्षिका भलीभाँति पूजन करके उनसे कौरवोंका समाचार पूछा
devarṣiḥ paryapṛcchat sa yathā vṛttaṃ kurūn prati |
Vaiśampāyana said: The divine seer inquired in detail about what had occurred concerning the Kurus. They then went to the place where the radiant Balarāma was seated; rising, they duly honored the devarṣi—who was steadfast in vows and observances—and asked him for news of the Kauravas, seeking a truthful account amid the moral weight of the war.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid war, dharma is upheld through truthful inquiry and proper reverence: disciplined sages are honored, and decisions are guided by accurate accounts rather than rumor or passion.
A devarṣi asks for a detailed report of events concerning the Kurus. The characters go to where Balarāma is seated, rise to honor the vow-observing sage, and then request news about the Kauravas.