Shloka 6.49.21

शरबन्धनविलापः (The Lament under the Net of Arrows)

Devanagari script

अस्स्रैरस्त्राणियोहन्याच्छक्रस्यापिमहात्मनः ।सोऽयमुर्व्यांहतश्शेतेमहार्हशयनोचितः ।।6.49.21।।

Transliteration

visasarjaikavegena pañca bāṇaśatāni yaḥ |

iṣvastreṣv adhikas tasmāt kārtavīryāc ca lakṣmaṇaḥ ||6.49.20||

Translation

He who, in a single rush, loosed five hundred arrows—therefore Lakṣmaṇa is superior in archery even to Kārtavīrya.

Context

"He, who could destroy Indra's arrows also deserves to be on Indra's bed, is lying on the ground, killed."

Characters & Entities

• Lakshmana
• Kartavirya

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma includes honoring merit truthfully: excellence and disciplined skill used in righteous service should be acknowledged without envy.

What is the narrative situation?

Amid the crisis of Lakṣmaṇa lying struck down, allies recall and proclaim his extraordinary prowess in archery.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Martial excellence yoked to righteous purpose—skill (kauśala) in service of dharma.