Shloka 6.43.28
द्वन्द्वयुद्धप्रवृत्तिः (Dvandva-Yuddha: The Onset of Single Combats)
निकुम्बस्तुरणेनीलंनीलाञ्जनचयप्रभम् ।निर्बिभेदशरैस्तीक्ष्णैःकरैर्मेघमिवांशुमान् ।।6.43.28।।
nikumbhas tu raṇe nīlaṃ nīlāñjanacayaprabham |
nirbhibheda śarais tīkṣṇaiḥ karair megham ivāṃśumān || 6.43.28 ||
In the battle, Nikumbha pierced Nīla—dark as a heap of collyrium—with sharp arrows, as the sun’s rays pierce through a cloud.
Just as the Sun 's rays pierced through clouds Nikumbha was shattered and fell like a mass of collyrium in the battlefield.
The verse underscores the reality of trials in righteous conflict: even strong allies may be wounded, and dharma requires perseverance despite setbacks.
Nikumbha wounds the Vānara hero Nīla with a volley of sharp arrows; the poet frames it with a sun-and-cloud comparison.
Endurance under attack (implied for Nīla) and the intensity of martial engagement (for Nikumbha).