Shloka 13
भीष्म-द्रोणादिभिः पाण्डवसेनाक्षयकाल-निर्णयः | Time-estimates for the depletion of the Pāṇḍava forces
Bhīṣma–Droṇa council
न विशेषं विजानन्ति पुरस्य शिबिरस्य वा | कुशला अपि राजेन्द्र नरा नगरवासिन:
na viśeṣaṃ vijānanti purasya śibirasya vā | kuśalā api rājendra narā nagaravāsinaḥ, bhārata |
毗湿摩波耶那说道：“王中之最啊，即便是城中之人——纵然精明老练——也看不出城与营之间有何差别。难敌早已预先营造居所，装饰得如同另一座象城，使那军营看上去与真正的都城无异。”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how power can manufacture appearances: a well-constructed façade can blur the line between what is temporary (a camp) and what is established (a city). Ethically, it cautions that outward splendor and organization do not necessarily indicate legitimacy or righteousness.
Vaiśampāyana describes Duryodhana’s prior preparations: he had a camp arranged and decorated so thoroughly—like another Hastināpura—that even experienced city-dwellers could not tell whether they were seeing a camp or a city.