Shloka 716
भीष्मशिबिरगमनम् — Duryodhana’s Visit to Bhīṣma’s Camp and the Command Appeal
इरावानपि संक्रुद्धों मायां स्रष्टूं प्रचक्रमे । युद्धके मुहानेपर समस्त योद्धाओंके देखते-देखते वह इरावान्को पकड़ना चाहता था। उस दुरात्मा राक्षसकी वैसी माया देखकर क्रोधमें भरे हुए इरावानने भी मायाका प्रयोग आरम्भ किया
sañjaya uvāca | irāvān api saṅkruddho māyāṃ sraṣṭuṃ pracakrame |
Sanjaya berkata: Iravan pun, diliputi amarah, mulai mengerahkan daya mayanya. Di muka medan laga, di hadapan para kesatria yang menyaksikan, ia melihat tipu-daya sang raksasa durjana; maka Iravan, murka, membalas ilusi dengan ilusi—menjawab kelicikan dengan siasat yang setimpal di tengah kerasnya tuntutan perang.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights a wartime ethical tension: when confronted with deceit and harmful stratagems, a warrior may respond with proportionate counter-strategy to protect allies and uphold battlefield duty. It frames anger as a catalyst for action, yet implies that responses are shaped by the opponent’s conduct and the harsh norms of war.
A rākṣasa attempts to seize Iravan through magical deception in front of the gathered fighters. Witnessing this, Iravan becomes furious and begins to employ his own māyā, initiating a contest of illusions amid the ongoing battle.