Shloka 3
Karṇa-kuṇḍala-kavaca-jijñāsā; Kuntibhoja’s hospitality and Pṛthā’s appointment (कर्णकुण्डलकवचजिज्ञासा)
ततो$भिपततां तेषामदृश्यानां दुरात्मनाम् । अन्तर्धानवधं तज्ज्ञक्षकार स विभीषण:,वे दुरात्मा निशाचर अन्तर्धानविद्यासे अदृश्य होकर आक्रमण कर रहे थे। विभीषण उस विद्याके जानकार थे, अतः उन्होंने उन राक्षसोंकी अन्तर्धानशक्तिको नष्ट कर दिया
tato 'bhipatatāṁ teṣām adṛśyānāṁ durātmanām | antardhāna-vadhaṁ tajjñaḥ cakāra sa vibhīṣaṇaḥ ||
Then, as those wicked beings—made invisible—rushed to attack, Vibhīṣaṇa, skilled in that occult art, countered them by destroying their power of concealment. The episode underscores that knowledge, when aligned with righteousness, can neutralize deceit and protect the just from treacherous aggression.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts deceitful power (invisibility used for ambush) with righteous, disciplined knowledge. When expertise is guided by dharma, it can expose and neutralize hidden wrongdoing rather than serve it.
Invisible, wicked attackers rush in to strike. Vibhīṣaṇa, who understands the technique of concealment, counters them by breaking or nullifying their antardhāna (invisibility), making their assault ineffective.