Shloka 6.89.28

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

Devanagari script

अस्त्राण्यस्त्रविदांश्रेष्ठौदर्शयन्तौपुनःपुनः ।।6.89.28।।शरानुच्छावचाकारानन्तरिक्षेबबन्धतुः ।

Transliteration

astrāṇy astravidāṃ śreṣṭhau darśayantau punaḥ punaḥ ||6.89.28|| śarān ucchāvacākārān antarikṣe babandhatuḥ |

Translation

Those two foremost masters of weapons again and again displayed their skill with the astras, and in the open sky they wove a net of arrows of many kinds and forms.

Context

Both of them, the best warriors, displaying their weapons again and again looking at the sky covered it with a network of arrows.

Characters & Entities

• Lakshmana
• Indrajit

FAQs

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

The verse points to responsible mastery: knowledge of weapons (astra-vidyā) is powerful and morally charged; dharma requires that such expertise be exercised with purpose and discipline, not vanity or harm for its own sake.

What is the narrative situation?

Both combatants escalate the technical sophistication of their missile warfare, filling the air with complex arrow formations.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Śikṣā and mastery (kauśala): refined command over weapons and battlefield technique.