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 ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: O hari Janamejaya, ang Kaurava (si Duryodhana), kasama si Karṇa, ay lumibot sa kapatagan ng Kurukṣetra at ipinapasukat ang lupa sa isang patag na pook upang maitayo roon ang kampong-militar.
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.