Shloka 24
ततो मायां दारुणामन्तरिक्षे घोरां भीमां विहितां राक्षसेन । अपश्याम लोहिता भ्रप्रकाशां देदीप्यन्तीमग्निशिखामिवोग्राम्,तदनन्तर हमने अन्तरिक्षमें उस राक्षसद्वारा रची गयी घोर, दारुण एवं भयंकर माया देखी। पहले तो वह लाल रंगके बादलोंके रूपमें प्रकाशित हुई, फिर आगकी भयंकर लपटोंके समान प्रज्वलित हो उठी
tato māyāṁ dāruṇām antarīkṣe ghorāṁ bhīmāṁ vihitāṁ rākṣasena | apaśyāma lohitā bhraprakāśāṁ dedīpyantīm agniśikhām ivogrām ||
サञ्जयは語った。ついで天空に、羅刹が仕組んだ凄惨で恐るべき幻術が現れた。はじめは赤い雲のような光として輝き、やがて猛り狂う火の舌のごとく、激しく燃え上がった。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, amid war, fear and confusion can be intensified through māyā—deceptive displays that distort perception. Ethically, it cautions that reliance on terror and illusion is a mark of adharma, while discernment and steadiness are needed to uphold dharma in chaotic circumstances.
Sañjaya reports that the warriors witness a rākṣasa-created illusion in the sky. It first manifests as a red, cloud-like glow and then flares up violently like a fierce flame, functioning as a terrifying spectacle on the battlefield.