Shloka 6.89.18

इन्द्रजित्–लक्ष्मणयोर् घोरः शरयुद्धः (Indrajit and Lakshmana’s Fierce Exchange of Arrows)

Devanagari script

नैवंशूरास्तुयुध्यन्तेसमरेजयकाङ्क्षिणः ।इत्येवंतंब्रुवाणस्तुधन्वीशरैरभिववर्ष ह ।।6.89.18।।

Transliteration

naivaṃ śūrās tu yudhyante samare jayakāṅkṣiṇaḥ |

ity evaṃ taṃ bruvāṇas tu dhanvī śarair abhivavarṣa ha ||6.89.18||

Translation

“Heroes who seek victory do not fight like this in battle.” Saying so, the bowman showered him with a rain of arrows.

Context

"Heroes seeking victory in that way do not fight". Thus speaking, Lakshmana rained arrows.

Characters & Entities

• Lakṣmaṇa
• Indrajit (implicit target)

FAQs

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

Dharma is framed as proper conduct even amid violence: victory should be sought through honorable, direct fighting rather than ignoble tactics.

What is the narrative situation?

Lakṣmaṇa rebukes Indrajit’s manner of fighting and immediately counters by launching a heavy volley of arrows.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Righteous assertiveness: Lakṣmaṇa combines moral critique with decisive action to protect the dharmic cause.