Shloka 3
Kubera-prasāda-vihāra and Counsel on Ajñātavāsa (कुबेरप्रसादविहारः तथा अज्ञातवासोपदेशः)
ततो निवातकवचा वध्यमाना मया युधि । संहृत्य मायां सहसा प्राविशन् पुरमात्मन:,जब मैं इस प्रकार युद्धक्षेत्रमें उनका संहार करने लगा, तब वे निवातकवच दानव अपनी मायाको समेटकर सहसा नगरमें घुस गये
tato nivātakavacā vadhyamānā mayā yudhi | saṁhṛtya māyāṁ sahasā prāviśan puram ātmanaḥ ||
Rồi khi ta đang chém giết bọn ác quỷ Nivātakavaca giữa chiến địa, chúng bỗng thu lại tà thuật của mình và tức khắc lao vội vào thành trì của chúng—tìm chỗ nương ẩn sau lớp phòng thủ khi giao chiến trực diện đã trở nên bất lợi cho chúng.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a moral-psychological contrast: when confronted by steadfast valor and righteous force in open battle, adversaries who rely on deception (māyā) may abandon it and seek safety in fortifications. It underscores that courage and clarity can neutralize trickery, while also acknowledging that retreat is a tactical choice when direct engagement fails.
Arjuna reports that as he began to slay the Nivātakavaca demons in the fight, they suddenly pulled back their magical illusions and hurried into their own city, withdrawing from the open battlefield to the protection of their stronghold.