Shloka 56
Arjuna’s Advance toward Bhīṣma; The Gāṇḍīva’s Signal and the Armies’ Convergence (भीष्माभिमुखगमनम् — गाण्डीवनिर्घोष-ध्वजवर्णनम्)
अदृश्यत निमेषार्धाद् घोररूपं समास्थित: । ऐरावणं समारूढ: स वै मायाकृतं स्वयम्
sañjaya uvāca | adṛśyata nimeṣārdhād ghorarūpaṃ samāsthitaḥ | airāvaṇaṃ samārūḍhaḥ sa vai māyākṛtaṃ svayam (kailāsagiri-saṅkāśaṃ vajrapāṇir ivābhyayāt) ||
三阇耶说道：未及半次眨眼，他便显形，已取可怖之相。骑乘由自身幻力召出的爱罗婆多，他如执金刚杵的因陀罗般推进，广大光耀，宛若迦罗娑山。凭此骇人的幻术，他意在于战乱喧嚣中加剧怯弱者的恐惧。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear can be deliberately amplified through spectacle and illusion in war; ethically, it contrasts inner steadiness and courage with panic in the face of terrifying appearances, reminding that perception can be manipulated and that valor requires discernment.
Sañjaya describes Ghaṭotkaca suddenly manifesting a terrifying form and advancing on a magically created Airāvata, resembling Indra with the thunderbolt, using māyā to intimidate and unsettle the opposing warriors.