Shloka 1
Ulūka’s Provocation and Keśava’s Counter-Message (उलूकदूत्ये केशवप्रत्युत्तरम्)
अफड-#-र- जा (उलूकदूतागमनपर्व) षष्टयधिकशततमो<ध्याय: दुर्योधनका उलूकको दूत बनाकर पाण्डवोंके पास भेजना और उनसे कहनेके लिये संदेश देना संजय उवाच हिरण्वत्यां निविष्टेषु पाण्डवेषु महात्मसु । न्यविशन्त महाराज कौरवेया यथाविधि
sañjaya uvāca |
hiraṇvatyāṁ niviṣṭeṣu pāṇḍaveṣu mahātmasu |
nyaviśanta mahārāja kauraveyā yathāvidhi ||
三阇耶曰：“大王！当高魂之般度五子已在希然伐底河岸安营扎寨之时，俱卢诸王亦依次第、循礼法，于他处建立营垒。此景显出双方纪律森严、步步为营；而外在的礼度周全之下，却掩着深重的道义裂痕，战事正趋向公开。”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even as war approaches, both sides maintain outward order (yathāvidhi). The verse highlights the tension between external propriety and the deeper ethical crisis: disciplined procedure cannot by itself rectify adharma or avert consequences.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Pāṇḍavas have established their camp by the Hiraṇvatī river, and the Kauravas have likewise set up their camp in a prescribed, orderly manner—setting the stage for the ensuing diplomatic and military developments.