Shloka 24
मुद्गलोपाख्यानम् — व्रीहिद्रोणदानं, दुर्वाससः परीक्षा, स्वर्गगुणप्रश्नः
Mudgala Episode: Rice-measure Charity, Durvāsas’ Test, Inquiry on Heaven
स वार्यमाणस्तैरस्त्रैरर्जुनेन महात्मना । गन्धर्वराजो बलवान् माययान्तर्हितस्तदा,महात्मा अर्जुनके उन अस्त्रोंसे रोके जानेपर बलवान गन्धर्वराज मायासे अदृश्य हो गये
sa vāryamāṇas tair astrair arjunena mahātmanā | gandharvarājo balavān māyayāntarhitas tadā ||
മഹാത്മാവായ അർജുനന്റെ ആ അസ്ത്രങ്ങളാൽ തടയപ്പെട്ട ശക്തനായ ഗന്ധർവരാജൻ അപ്പോൾ മായാശക്തിയാൽ അദൃശനായി മറഞ്ഞു.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power in epic warfare is multidimensional: even when martial force (astras) is met with equal or superior skill, a combatant may rely on māyā—concealment, deception, and tactical withdrawal. The verse highlights prudence and adaptability alongside valor.
Arjuna counters and restrains the Gandharva king with his missiles. Unable to press the fight directly, the powerful Gandharva king uses magical illusion to become invisible and disappear from view.