Shloka 13
लक्ष्मणेन तु संगम्य सौभद्र: परवीरहा । शरै: सुनिशितैस्ती६णैर्बाह्वोरुरसि चार्पित:,लक्ष्मणसे भिड़नेपर उसके द्वारा शत्रुवीरोंका संहार करनेवाले सुभद्राकुमारकी भुजाओं और छातीमें अत्यन्त तीखे बाणोंद्वारा प्रहार किया गया
lakṣmaṇena tu saṅgamya saubhadraḥ paravīrahā | śaraiḥ suniśitais tīkṣṇair bāhv-orasi cārpitaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: When he closed with Lakṣmaṇa in hand-to-hand combat, Saubhadra—slayer of enemy heroes—was struck on his arms and chest by arrows exceedingly sharp and keen. The scene revealed the battle’s relentless reciprocity: even the most valiant must bear the consequence of direct engagement, where prowess is tested by disciplined force, not by rage alone.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethic of kṣatriya combat: direct engagement brings immediate consequences, and even a renowned hero must endure injury when facing a capable opponent. It reflects the Mahābhārata’s sober view of war—valor operates within a harsh moral economy of action and reaction.
Sañjaya reports that Abhimanyu (Saubhadra), after meeting Lakṣmaṇa in close combat, is struck on his arms and chest by Lakṣmaṇa’s extremely sharp arrows.