Shloka 413
व्यधमच्च शरैर्मायां तां घटोत्कचनिर्मिताम् | अपने अस्त्रबलकी प्रशंसा करनेवाला एकमात्र अभिमानी कर्ण ही वहाँ खड़ा रहा। उसके मनमें तनिक भी व्यथा नहीं हुई। उसने अपने बाणोंसे घटोत्कचद्वारा निर्मित मायाको नष्ट कर दिया
vyadhamac ca śarair māyāṃ tāṃ ghaṭotkaca-nirmitām |
सञ्जय उवाच—घटोत्कचनिर्मितां तां मायां कर्णः शरैर्व्यधमत्। स एवैकः स्वास्त्रबलं प्रशंसन् गर्वितो रणमध्ये स्थितः; न चास्य मनसि किञ्चिदपि व्यथाभवत्। स शरैस्तां छलमयीं मायां नाशयामास, कौरवसेनां च मोचयामास।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage contrasts deceptive power (māyā) with steadiness and martial competence: illusion can terrify armies, but disciplined resolve and skill can dispel it. Ethically, it also hints at the danger of pride—Karṇa’s confidence is effective here, yet self-praise (ahaṅkāra) remains a moral vulnerability even when paired with courage.
Ghaṭotkaca unleashes a magical illusion on the battlefield. While others are shaken, Karṇa stands firm and uses his arrows to destroy the conjured māyā, restoring clarity and momentum to his side.