Adhyāya 104 — Śikhaṇḍin-puraskāraḥ (Śikhaṇḍin as Vanguard) and Bhīṣma’s Counter-Advance
छादयामास समरे शरै: संनतपर्वभि: । इस प्रकार महापराक्रमी नरश्रेष्ठ अभिमन्युने उस दुरात्मा राक्षसकी मायाको नष्ट कर दिया और अत्यन्त कुपित हो झुकी हुई गाँठवाले बाणोंद्वारा उसे समरभूमिमें आच्छादित कर दिया
sañjaya uvāca | chādayāmāsa samare śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ |
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Sa gitna ng nag-aalab na labanan, si Abhimanyu—pinakamainam sa mga lalaki at makapangyarihan sa tapang—ay winasak ang mapanlinlang na mahika ng masamang rākṣasa. Pagkaraan, sa naglalagablab na makatarungang poot, tinabunan niya ito sa larangan ng digmaan ng mga palasong may baluktot na dugtungan, at lubusang dinaig.
संजय उवाच
The verse contrasts deceptive power (māyā) with disciplined valor and righteous resolve: dharmic strength is shown not by trickery but by steadfast courage and the ability to dispel delusion in the pursuit of one’s duty.
Sañjaya describes Abhimanyu countering and destroying a rākṣasa’s illusory tactics, then, angered, overwhelming him by covering him with a dense volley of arrows on the battlefield.