Shloka 13
Karṇa-kuṇḍala-kavaca-jijñāsā; Kuntibhoja’s hospitality and Pṛthā’s appointment (कर्णकुण्डलकवचजिज्ञासा)
तथैवेन्द्रजितं यत्तं लक्ष्मणो मर्मभेदिभि: । इन्द्रजिच्चापि सौमित्रिं बिभेद बहुभि: शरै:,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
tathaivendrajitaṃ yattaṃ lakṣmaṇo marmabhedibhiḥ | indrajic cāpi saumitriṃ bibheda bahubhiḥ śaraiḥ ||
Mārkaṇḍeya said: “In the same manner, Lakṣmaṇa struck the battle-ready Indrajit with vital-piercing arrows; and Indrajit, in turn, pierced Saumitri (Lakṣmaṇa) with many shafts. Thus the combat shows the fierce reciprocity of war—prowess answered by prowess—where courage and resolve are tested amid suffering, and the righteous must endure pain without abandoning their duty.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the harsh symmetry of battle: each warrior both inflicts and endures wounds. Ethically, it highlights kṣatriya-dharma—steadfastness and resolve in the face of pain—without romanticizing violence.
Lakṣmaṇa wounds the battle-ready Indrajit with arrows aimed at vital points; Indrajit retaliates by piercing Lakṣmaṇa with many arrows, intensifying the duel.