Shloka 10
तां च मायां तदा दृष्टवा घोरां नागेन वज्चित: । द्विधा त्रिधा च खगतान् प्राणिन: पाण्डवो5च्छिनत्
tāṃ ca māyāṃ tadā dṛṣṭvā ghorāṃ nāgena vañcitaḥ | dvidhā tridhā ca khagatān prāṇinaḥ pāṇḍavo 'cchinat ||
उस भयानक माया को देखकर, नाग के छल से ठगे हुए पाण्डुपुत्र अर्जुन ने आकाश में उड़ने वाले प्राणियों को दो-दो और तीन-तीन टुकड़ों में काट डाला।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical danger of māyā (delusion): when perception is distorted by deception, even a righteous hero may act with excessive force. It implicitly values discernment and restraint—testing appearances before unleashing violence.
A serpent (Nāga) produces a terrifying illusion. Arjuna, momentarily deceived, reacts by attacking the airborne beings he sees, cutting the flying creatures into two or three pieces.