Shloka 19
इन्द्रजिद्-लक्ष्मणयुद्धम्
Indrajit and Lakṣmaṇa: Escalation through Concealment
नकुलस्त्वपभीस्तस्माद् रथाच्चर्मासिपाणिमान् | उदश्रान्तं स्थानमास्थाय तस्थौ गिरिरिवाचल:,परंतु नकुलको इससे तनिक भी भय नहीं हुआ। वे हाथमें ढाल-तलवार लिये उस रथसे कूद पड़े और एक निरापद स्थानमें आकर पर्वतकी भाँति अविचलभावसे खड़े हो गये
nakulas tv apabhīs tasmād rathāc carmāsipāṇimān | udaśrāntaṁ sthānam āsthāya tasthau girir ivācalaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Nakula, however, was not in the least frightened by that. With shield and sword in hand, he leapt down from the chariot, took his stand in a secure spot, and remained unmoving—steady like a mountain. The scene highlights the warrior’s composure: courage is shown not as recklessness, but as calm, grounded readiness in the face of danger.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents courage as inner steadiness: even amid danger, one should act with clear presence of mind—taking a secure position and standing firm rather than panicking.
Nakula, unafraid, descends from the chariot with shield and sword, moves to a safe spot, and stands motionless like a mountain, prepared to face what comes next.