Shloka 17
Kuntī–Sūrya-saṃvāda: Autonomy, Reputation, and the Promise of Karṇa
अकृताह्लिकमेवैनं जिघांसुर्जितकाशिनम् । शरैर्जघान संक्रुद्ध: कृतसंज्ञोडथ लक्ष्मण:,इन्द्रजित् विजयके उललाससे सुशोभित हो रहा था। अभी उसने नित्यकर्म भी नहीं किया था, उसी अवस्थामें सचेत हुए लक्ष्मणने कुपित होकर उसे मार डालनेकी इच्छासे उसपर बाणोंद्वारा प्रहार करना आरम्भ किया
akṛtāhlikam evainaṁ jighāṁsur jitakāśinam | śarair jaghāna saṁkruddhaḥ kṛtasaṁjño 'tha lakṣmaṇaḥ ||
Dijo Mārkaṇḍeya: Al verlo aún sin haber cumplido sus ritos cotidianos, Lakṣmaṇa—ya plenamente recobrado—se enfureció y, con intención de dar muerte al conquistador de Kāśī, comenzó a herirlo con descargas de flechas.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a tension central to dharma: daily ritual obligations are important, yet in moments of urgent threat a warrior may prioritize immediate protective action. By noting the enemy’s neglected rites, the text also hints at moral vulnerability and the shifting balance between ritual propriety and battlefield necessity.
Mārkaṇḍeya narrates that Lakṣmaṇa, having regained consciousness, becomes furious and begins shooting arrows at a formidable opponent described as the conqueror of Kāśī, who at that moment has not yet performed his daily rites.