Shloka 12
Āraṇyaka-parva, Adhyāya 17 — Śālva’s encampment and the Yādava counter-engagement at Dvārakā
तस्य मायामयो वीर रथो हेमपरिष्कृत: । सपताक: सध्वजश्न सानुकर्ष: स तूणवान्,वीर! शाल्वके पास सुवर्णभूषित मायामय रथ था। वह रथ ध्वजा, पताका, अनुकर्ष (हरसा)- और तरकससे युक्त था
tasya māyāmayo vīra ratho hemapariṣkṛtaḥ | sapatākaḥ sadhvajaś ca sānukarṣaḥ sa tūṇavān ||
Vāyu said: “O hero, his chariot was a magical, illusory creation, richly adorned with gold. It bore banner and flag, was fitted with yoke and drawing-gear, and carried a quiver—fully prepared for battle.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how power and readiness for conflict can be enhanced by māyā—marvelous, deceptive, or superhuman means—reminding the reader that appearances and material splendor (gold, banners, equipment) may be products of illusion and not reliable measures of true worth or dharma.
Vāyu describes a warrior’s chariot as a magically fashioned, gold-adorned vehicle, complete with banners, flags, harness fittings, and a quiver—emphasizing that the combatant is fully equipped and that the scene involves extraordinary, māyā-based martial resources.