Shloka 226
Adhyāya 104 — Śikhaṇḍin-puraskāraḥ (Śikhaṇḍin as Vanguard) and Bhīṣma’s Counter-Advance
प्रादुश्षक्रे महामायां तामसीं परतापनाम् | फिर समरांगणमें शत्रुसे पीड़ित एवं विमुख हुए राक्षसने शत्रुओंको तपानेवाली अपनी (अन्धकारमयी) तामसी महामाया प्रकट की
sañjaya uvāca | prāduścakre mahāmāyāṃ tāmasīṃ paratāpanām |
सञ्जय उवाच—ततः शत्रुपीडितो रणाङ्गणे विमुखो राक्षसः परतापनां तामसीं महामायां प्रादुश्चकार।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts open, dharmic combat with tamasic deception: when overwhelmed, the rākṣasa resorts to dark illusion to harm and confuse foes, highlighting how tamas (delusion/obscurity) can replace straightforward courage and clarity in war.
Sañjaya reports that, on the battlefield, a rākṣasa who has been harried by enemies and has turned away manifests a powerful, darkness-based magical illusion intended to torment and disorient the opposing side.