Shloka 196
Adhyāya 290: Kuntī’s Mantra-Parīkṣā and the Appearance of Sūrya (कुन्ती–सूर्यसंवादः)
तत्रैवान्तर्दधे राजन् मायया रावणात्मज: । राजन! सारथिके मारे जानेपर रावणकुमार इन्द्रजित् उस अश्वहीन रथसे कूद पड़ा और मायाका आश्रय ले वहीं अन्तर्धान हो गया
tatraivāntardadhe rājan māyayā rāvaṇātmajaḥ |
Markandeya berkata—“Wahai Raja, di tempat itu juga putra Rāvaṇa lenyap dari pandangan dengan bersandar pada māyā.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how māyā (deceptive power) can be used in conflict to evade consequences and confuse opponents; ethically, it contrasts straightforward valor with strategic concealment, reminding listeners to discern appearance from reality in war and in judgment.
Markandeya narrates that Ravana’s son (Indrajit) vanishes on the battlefield by using illusion, withdrawing from immediate danger after his charioteer is killed and his chariot is left without horses.