Shloka 12
Karṇa-kuṇḍala-kavaca-jijñāsā; Kuntibhoja’s hospitality and Pṛthā’s appointment (कर्णकुण्डलकवचजिज्ञासा)
रावणो राममानर्छच्छक्तिशूलासिवृष्टिभि: । निशितैरायसैस्तीक्ष्ण रावणं चापि राघव:,रावणने शक्ति, शूल और खड्गकी वर्षा करके श्रीरामचन्द्रजीको बहुत पीड़ा दी तथा श्रीरघुनाथजीने भी लोहेके बने हुए तीखे बाणोंद्वारा रावणको अत्यन्त पीड़ित किया। इसी प्रकार युद्धके लिये उद्यत रहनेवाले इन्द्रजितको लक्ष्मणने मर्मभेदी बाणोंद्वारा घायल किया और इन्द्रजितने सुमित्रानन्दन लक्ष्मणको अनेक बाणोंद्वारा बींध डाला
mārkaṇḍeya uvāca | rāvaṇo rāmam anarccacchaktiśūlāsivṛṣṭibhiḥ | niśitair āyasais tīkṣṇaiḥ rāvaṇaṃ cāpi rāghavaḥ |
Mārkaṇḍeya said: Rāvaṇa assailed Rāma with a storm of weapons—spears, tridents, and swords—causing him intense suffering. Yet Rāghava, unshaken in battle, in turn tormented Rāvaṇa with sharp iron arrows. The passage underscores the grim reciprocity of war: even mighty heroes endure pain, but steadfastness and disciplined valor sustain them amid violence.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh symmetry of battle: harm is met with harm, and even the greatest warriors suffer. Ethically, it points to the kṣatriya ideal of steadfastness—enduring pain without abandoning one’s duty—while implicitly reminding the listener of war’s cost and the need for disciplined, purposeful action rather than cruelty.
Mārkaṇḍeya narrates a fierce exchange in the Rāma–Rāvaṇa conflict: Rāvaṇa attacks Rāma with a ‘rain’ of spears, tridents, and swords; Rāma (Rāghava) retaliates by striking Rāvaṇa with sharp iron arrows, severely wounding him.