Shloka 266
Adhyāya 104 — Śikhaṇḍin-puraskāraḥ (Śikhaṇḍin as Vanguard) and Bhīṣma’s Counter-Advance
छादयामास समरे शरै: संनतपर्वभि: । इस प्रकार महापराक्रमी नरश्रेष्ठ अभिमन्युने उस दुरात्मा राक्षसकी मायाको नष्ट कर दिया और अत्यन्त कुपित हो झुकी हुई गाँठवाले बाणोंद्वारा उसे समरभूमिमें आच्छादित कर दिया
sañjaya uvāca | chādayāmāsa samare śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ |
Sañjaya said: In the thick of battle, Abhimanyu—foremost among men and mighty in valor—shattered the wicked rākṣasa’s deceptive magic; then, burning with righteous fury, he covered him on the battlefield with arrows whose joints were bent, overwhelming him completely.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts deceptive power (māyā) with disciplined valor and righteous resolve: dharmic strength is shown not by trickery but by steadfast courage and the ability to dispel delusion in the pursuit of one’s duty.
Sañjaya describes Abhimanyu countering and destroying a rākṣasa’s illusory tactics, then, angered, overwhelming him by covering him with a dense volley of arrows on the battlefield.