Shloka 19
तां प्रेक्ष्य महतीं मायां राक्षसो राक्षसस्य च । ऊर्ध्वमुत्पत्य हैडिम्बिस्तां मायां माययावधीत्,राक्षसकी उस विशाल मायाको देखकर राक्षसजातीय हिडिम्बाकुमार घटोत्कचने ऊपर उड़कर अपनी मायासे उस मायाको नष्ट कर दिया
tāṁ prekṣya mahatīṁ māyāṁ rākṣaso rākṣasasya ca | ūrdhvam utpatya haiḍimbis tāṁ māyāṁ māyayāvadhīt ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing that vast illusion conjured by the rākṣasa, the rākṣasa-born son of Hiḍimbā (Ghaṭotkaca) sprang upward and, by counter-illusion of his own, destroyed that illusion. In the moral texture of the battle, the episode shows how deceptive force (māyā) is met not by naïve valor but by alert discernment and an equal strategic response to protect one’s side.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In a conflict where deception and magical stratagems appear, ethical responsibility includes vigilance and skillful means: one must recognize illusion (māyā) and neutralize it effectively to prevent harm, rather than being overwhelmed by appearances.
Sañjaya reports that Ghaṭotkaca, seeing a huge illusion created by an opposing rākṣasa, rises into the air and uses his own magical power to destroy that illusion, turning the tide against deceptive tactics.