Shloka 716
घटोत्कचस्ततो मायां ससर्जान्तर्हित: पुन: । अपने ऊपर प्राप्त हुई उस बाण-वर्षाको कर्णने दूरसे ही काट गिराया। भरतश्रेष्ठ! कर्णके द्वारा अपनी मायाको नष्ट हुई देख घटोत्कचने अदृश्य होकर पुनः दूसरी मायाकी सृष्टि की
ghaṭotkacaḥ tato māyāṃ sasarjāntarhitaḥ punaḥ |
Sañjaya said: Then Ghaṭotkaca, vanishing from sight, again projected an illusion. Seeing his earlier magical assault neutralized by Karṇa, he turned once more to deception and concealment—an escalation that highlights how, in war, prowess is tested not only by weapons but by the resolve to meet trickery with steadiness and skill.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage underscores that in warfare and moral testing, opponents may resort to deception when direct force fails; the ethical emphasis falls on maintaining composure and discernment, meeting trickery with steadiness rather than panic.
After Karṇa neutralizes an earlier attack, Ghaṭotkaca becomes invisible and again creates a new māyā (illusion), renewing the magical dimension of the battle.